 McIvor began her academic career as a Curriculum Developer for an Indigenous Language Issues course at the Camsum College in Victoria, BC.She then became a Researcher/Writer for the Office of the Provincial Advisor for Aboriginal Infant Development Programs, Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC, Public Health Agency of Canada, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, First Peoples’ Heritage, Language, and Culture Council, Ministry for Children and Family Development, and the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.In her final years before obtaining her position at the University of Victoria, Onowa returned to her alma mater, where she worked as a research assistant for the Faculty of Human and Social Development.