Job Description

The Indigenous Internship Program offers professional and technical training in museum practices for selected First Nations, Métis and Inuit participants. It is the first program of its kind in Canada. The goal of the program is to develop ways for Indigenous nations across Canada to represent their own history and culture in concert with cultural institutions.

Since 1993, the Program has welcomed interns from over 40 different Indigenous nations across Canada. Graduates have gone on to become role models and advocates in museum and cultural sectors.

The Program also works with a variety of affiliates and stakeholders such as Indigenous agencies, other national museums, the federal government, local colleges and universities, provincial museums, Library and Archives Canada, the Canadian Conservation Institute, and the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, as well as Indigenous museums, libraries, cultural centres, and cultural tourism ventures.

Upcoming internship: January to April 2027

For 2027, the Indigenous Internship Program will offer a four-month, in-person placement running from January to April. This focused experience provides interns with the opportunity to engage directly with core museum functions. Throughout the placement, interns work closely with the Museum’s teams and mentors, contributing to meaningful projects across the institution.

Please note that this in-person program requires participants to be based in the Ottawa–Gatineau region for its duration, ensuring full access to the Museum’s spaces, teams and resources.

Eligibility

The Indigenous Internship Program is open to all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals. Please note that having a college or university credential in a museum or heritage-related discipline is considered an asset but is not necessary for participation in the Program.

Additionally, experience in Indigenous cultural interpretation or related work is also considered an asset but is not mandatory. Lived experience will be recognized as much as formal education.

A steering committee will review proposals and select successful candidates based on how the anticipated experience will support the intern’s professional development, contribute to community growth, and align with the Museum’s mandate as Canada’s national museum of human history.

Compensation

The Program includes a stipend of $17.75 per hour with the expectation of 7.5 hours a day (37.5 hours a week). Successful applicants are encouraged to seek supplementary funding to help meet living expenses while residing in the National Capital Region.

The Museum also pays for travel to the Ottawa-Gatineau area should the applicant not live in the region. Please note that the applicant will be required to pay their living expenses.

Submissions

Eligible applicants should submit:

• a one- to two-page cover letter that describes their interest in the Program, how it will support their personal development, and how it will foster their understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, stories, and material culture;
• a resume with their current contact information, their academic and employment histories, and contact information for two references; and
• information on whether they are applying as a First Nations, Métis, or Inuit candidate, and if their areas of interest are in museum collections, archival and research work, or museum exhibitions and program development.

Note: Placements are conditional on verification of security clearance.

Applications can be submitted to
indigenousinternship@historymuseum.ca

Applications may also be submitted by regular mail to
Canadian Museum of History
Indigenous Internship Program
100 Laurier Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0M8
Canada

Note For internship products or projects of potential monetary or commercial value, the Museum will refrain from exercising its copyright ownership and any financial considerations, in exchange for recognition and acknowledgement of the Museum and its resources in the development of the product or project.

Contact

Ashlee Beattie
Coordinator, Indigenous Internship Program
indigenousinternship@historymuseum.ca