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Indigenous internship program

Connecting Indigenous students with paid experiential learning for community impact

Program highlights

Every term, the Office of Community Engagement (OCE) facilitates paid internship opportunities for First Nations, Metis and Inuit students to contribute to the work of Indigenous-led and -serving organizations in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal.

  • A culturally relevant internship experience: Students engage in hands-on work within organizations that prioritize Indigenous values and deepen their understanding of Indigenous priorities and community development approaches.
  • Professional development: Students grow professionally and personally while aligning their work with their values. Host organizations increase their ability to hire and collaborate with students while receiving valuable project support.
  • Networking and impact: Students connect with professionals, mentors and peers in the wider Montreal/Tiohtià:ke Indigenous community, while hosts expand their network, contribute to community empowerment and nurture future Indigenous leaders.

Eligibility

Student

  • The student must be enrolled in a Concordia undergraduate degree program relevant to the focus of the internship.
  • The student must have a social insurance number and a bank account with a Canadian institution.
  • Priority is given to First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. Students not identifying as Indigenous in Canada should have a good understanding of Indigenous realities and allyship.

Host organization

  • The host organization must be an Indigenous-led or -serving registered non-profit organization in Montreal/Tiohtià:ke, working towards social justice for Indigenous Peoples.
  • The host organization must have the capacity to offer onboarding, training and consistent support to interns.
  • The host organization should also have policies and/or established practices to provide a culturally, physically and emotionally safe working environment for interns.

Current opportunities

Position Organization Deadline
Communications and Logistics Intern Musique Nomade August 9, 2024
Communications Assistant Montreal Indigenous Community Network August 9, 2024
Open Call Internship Native Montreal August 9, 2024
Open Call Research Internship Research for the Frontlines August 9, 2024

Timeline for fall 2024

  • July 17, 2024: Host applications close and positions for fall confirmed
  • July 22 - August 9, 2024: Student application period
  • Mid-August 2024: Interviews
  • August 26, 2024: Interns confirmed and introduced to OCE
  • Early September 2024: Start of internship and onboarding
  • Mid-September 2024: Check-in with OCE (host and student)
  • Week of November 18, 2024: End of internship

Dates are subject to change.

Student application

Applying for an internship

Apply for all available opportunities through our application form

Application requirements might vary (some organizations might ask for a CV and cover letter, some might ask specific questions.) Students are invited to upload the requirements for whichever opportunities they would like to apply to. Students can apply to more than one position. Host organizations will then contact selected candidates directly.

The placement sites are all Indigenous non-profit organizations located in and around Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. The available positions and placement sites vary each term. 

Time and compensation

The internship is 12 weeks long, with the possibility to renew and work with the same organization for up to 1 academic year (over the course of 3 terms). Students will be compensated for their time and efforts through a student award, paid in 2 instalments. The honorarium is equivalent to a salary of $20/hour.

Course credit

It is possible to receive course credit for an internship. However, it’s important to note that students are responsible for arranging this with their respective departments, and that only select Concordia programs offer internship credits, such as the Minor in Diversity and the Contemporary World, BA in Communication Studies, or the BA Major in Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies.

Support during the internship

Through our program, students will have opportunities to connect with and be supported by Indigenous professionals, mentors and peers. Students will also receive culturally relevant support, guidance and collaboration opportunities all while gaining valuable work experience. The OCE team is committed to support all interns throughout the internship process, including providing part of the onboarding, check-in calls and additional resources as needed.

Host a student

Become a host

Applications for internships during the Winter 2025 term will open in early November 2024. At that time, you can fill out our request form to apply to become an internship host. Once we receive the request, we will be in touch to discuss the organization's participation in the program.

Timing and costs

Internships typically last for 12 weeks, with the possibility to renew the same student for up to one academic year (three terms). Internships follow the academic calendar, but the real start and end dates may be negotiated between the host organization and student, based on their needs. 

Offering a valuable experience

Host organizations should offer interns meaningful projects, regular feedback, opportunities for professional development and access to organizational events and meetings. Remember that the OCE team is here to support the organization in their supervisor journey as well. The OCE pays the students fully and directly through an honorarium (divided in 2 instalments). However, host organizations should be prepared to invest time and resources in onboarding, training and mentoring interns.

Support from the OCE

Beyond compensating the intern, the OCE team is available to offer individual advice, support and guidance throughout the internship process. This includes onboarding calls, regular check-ins and additional resources as needed to ensure a successful internship experience. If any issues arise, please contact the OCE team immediately. We are committed to providing support and mediation to address any problems and ensure a positive working relationship between interns and host organizations.

Connect with us

Geneviève Sioui

Geneviève Sioui is a member of the Wendat Nation who has been living in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal for 20 years. Her role at the Office of Community Engagement is to foster collaborations with Indigenous community-based organizations and initiatives. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for students to contribute positively to the larger urban Indigenous community.

Contact Geneviève

Shin Ling Low

Shin Ling Low is a grateful settler from Malaysia who has been living, working and loving in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal for close to a decade. They are committed to building meaningful, grounded and accessible experiential learning opportunities for Concordia students.

Contact Shin Ling

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