Indigenous Internship Program

The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) is a 12-month paid internship program designed to provide recent Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) post-secondary graduates, with the opportunity to gain professional level work experience and a pathway through which they can build and develop transferable skills that can be used to gain sustained employment in their field of choice.

You must self-identify as an Indigenous person to be eligible for this program. The term Indigenous refers to individuals who identify as being descended from the original inhabitants (the first peoples) of what is now known as Canada. In this context, Indigenous people are First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit.

Personal Information

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities it serves and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful, and equitable workplace. To enable this commitment and advance broader organizational objectives, this dedicated internship has been created for eligible applicants who self-identify as an Indigenous person. As part of the application process, all applicants must respond to a self-attestation. Applicants who do not self-identify as Indigenous or who choose not to identify will not be eligible.

What makes working in the Ontario Public Service great

Working in the public service has real meaning and impact on the lives of Ontarians. What we do matters, and you can grow your career here. From economic growth to health and social justice, we offer career opportunities in multiple disciplines and business areas to match your passion. Our strength is the diversity of our people and the ideas we generate. We value trust, fairness, diversity, creativity, collaboration and excellence. We are committed to be an employer of first choice.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

Bring your knowledge, experience and perspectives to the Indigenous Consultation and Partnerships Branch of the Ministry of Mines. Working with a team of engaged professionals and dedicated leaders, you'll take the next step in your career in a dynamic environment that provides opportunities for personal growth, competitive salary, mentorship, learning and development opportunities, and work-life balance.

About Us:

The Indigenous Consultation and Partnerships Branch provides information and advisory services regarding Indigenous affairs to all divisions and branches of the ministry. These services are primarily focused on information and advice regarding the duty to consult, Aboriginal and treaty rights, facilitating partnerships and relationship building with the Indigenous communities in Ontario, supporting Ring of Fire community wellness initiatives and infrastructure developments.

We are currently looking for a motivated professional to join our dynamic team to provide project management support and apply your research, analytical, and communication skills to advance reconciliation initiatives in our ministry.

As the Indigenous Affairs Project Intern, you will:

• provide project planning and implementation support to the ministry's Indigenous initiatives related to Indigenous awareness programming, economic development, and the mineral sector
• track project activities, including reviewing and monitoring project progress, key deliverables, timelines and budgets
• assist in the development of workshops and events, and prepare presentations, work plans, briefings and reports
• engage with Indigenous communities, other ministries and clients
• conduct research and analysis for program initiatives and participate in the development of standards, processes and performance measures
• participate in various committees and working groups (e.g. ministry Inclusion Council)

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• You must have graduated or will complete the requirements to graduate with a degree, diploma or post-graduate certificate from a recognized or legally authorized post-secondary institution in the last five years (May 2018-June 2023).
• You must self-identify as an Indigenous person. The term Indigenous refers to individuals who identify as being descended from the original inhabitants (the first peoples) of what is now known as Canada. In this context, Indigenous people are First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit.
• You must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Specialized knowledge:

• You have knowledge of Indigenous culture, governance, community perspectives and political dynamics.
• You have knowledge of lands, resources and economic development issues and trends in Ontario.

Project management and organizational skills:

• You can plan, organize, and manage multiple tasks and projects with competing deadlines.
• You can assist with the planning and delivery of meetings, events, and workshops.
• You have knowledge of project management tools and techniques and experience in project delivery

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• You have strong written and verbal communication skills to provide and exchange information, as well as prepare and present briefing and communications material.
• You have proven interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with your team, as well as internal and external clients and partners, and can participate in and contribute to committees and projects.

Research and analytical skills:

• You can conduct research and environmental scans, and analyze and compile information/data into an understandable format.
• You have knowledge of performance measurement methodologies and evaluation techniques.

Computer proficiency:

• You are fully proficient in common software applications to prepare presentations, event promotions, and reports, and perform research on the internet/intranet.

Other Summer Opportunities

We offer a variety of summer jobs in diverse career fields. See what summer opportunities are currently available!

Also, check out all the other student and new professional opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.

Additional Information:

Note:

• These temporary internship positions are 12-month contracts starting August 28, 2023.
  
  The information that you provide for the purpose of this competition and the results from this competition may be used to fill other internship opportunities in the OPS and public sector organizations where TBS provides administrative services.
  
  In order to meet the program goals and ensure that our recruitment practices are fair, open and transparent, it is necessary that only those applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are considered for this internship.
  
  Personal information collected in this attestation will contribute to efforts in building a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible OPS. Information collected in this attestation will be retained by the Internships Unit, Treasury Board Secretariat and will be used to determine your qualifications for this program. Any data will be reported on an aggregate, depersonalized basis only. All information will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
  
  The Government of Ontario is an inclusive employer and has a legal duty to accommodate under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario's Human Rights Code. If you have any questions about this attestation or require accommodation to complete this attestation, please contact the Internships Unit at contact.oip@ontario.ca.
  
  Please do not provide more personal information than what is asked of you. For example, do not include your social insurance number, photograph, or banking information, etc. with your application. We strongly encourage you not to provide us with information beyond that which is requested in the job posting.
  
  Job advertisements for positions that have been designated bilingual will be provided in both English and French on the website. Positions that are not designated bilingual are not translated and are displayed in English only on both the English and French versions of the website.
  
  Note The headquarters for this position is at 435 James Street S., Thunder Bay ON, and there are alternative offices in Sudbury, Timmins and Toronto. Options for alternate work locations may be available.