Program Associate and Elder / Knowledge Keeper Helper
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Salary range: $63,960 –$67,163
Deadline to apply: Open until filled
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus — artists, leaders, and thinkers — to unleash their creative potential.
We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as Minhrpa (translated in Stoney Nakoda as the waterfall) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Métis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.
The Opportunity
Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors at Banff Centre play a central role in increasing awareness around Indigenous knowledge, histories, languages, and ways of knowing and being in our Leadership Programs, and campus community. They provide informal and formal teachings to raise awareness of Indigenous histories, world views and help both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants, staff and faculty increase their own cultural competencies and awareness. They also complement program content by providing cultural context and Indigenous knowledge.
The program associate and Elder / knowledge keeper helper is an integral position to leadership programming’s vision of being the strategic partner of choice for Indigenous communities, organizations and individuals looking for unique solutions to their leadership and management needs. Successful overall relationship building with new and existing participants, elders and other stake-holders, listening to client challenges and aspirations, program follow-up, research, and recommending new solutions / programs that will ensure success and facilitate the participants in identifying and selecting appropriate certificate programs.
This position will also assist the director, Indigenous leadership in researching and understanding the unique components of Indigenous communities and participants from across Canada, in order to effectively promote the programming with participants and provide client support as appropriate it relates to funding options that ensure accessibility for Indigenous leaders.
This position will assist the director, Indigenous leadership, and faculty in providing timely wrap- around support to participants, including conflict resolution, while in program, and help the participants navigate Banff Centre’s Participant Resources services and other campus supports if and when required
Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the director, program operations leadership and indirectly to director, Indigenous leadership, below are some key accountabilities:
- Assist in sourcing elders/knowledge keepers.
- Act as an Elder’s helper when Elders are on campus.
- Support sharing circles for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous programs.
- Available to assist in diffusing interpersonal conflict, and / or access the right people within a cohort in a culturally sensitive way (may be related to lateral violence, Indigenous/settler, IBPOC/settler situations, or intergenerational trauma).
- Active involvement in creating an inclusive experience and supportive presence for Indigenous program participants.
- Guide and advise participants throughout the entire learning experience and work collaboratively with the Office of Admissions team. This includes but is not limited to proper program selection; identification of funding opportunities available to qualified participants; program registration; learning assistance and/or guidance pre-, during and post-program.
- Support all aspects of program administration and follow-up.
- Act as an advisor and assist in the development of a guiding document ensuring Elders are engaged on campus in a respectful way.
- Identify, monitor and provide continued support for Indigenous Leadership participants to complete their Certificate pathway. Support programming team during programs with relationship building and learning journeys.
Institutional Knowledge
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of Banff Centre’s programs, facilities, and student services to be a brand ambassador.
- Strong understanding of confidentiality and privacy requirements, as well as regulations governing the use of data for marketing/recruitment.
- Develop a wide range of contacts within Banff Centre (e.g., program departments, Marketing, Development, and Participant Resources, etc.), to sustain both a broad information base about Banff Centre and be equipped with resources for recruitment-related activities and inquiries.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements
- Indigenous cultural preparation is often based in oral cultures and not measured by diplomas and degrees. An earned understanding about Indigenous cultural beliefs, values, customs, traditions, healing ways, ceremonies, medicines, and protocols.
- University undergraduate degree in a related field; i.e., arts, leadership, marketing and communications, indigenous studies, business, social sciences, humanities, cultural knowledge keeper, or related community and/or organizational experience.
- Knowledge of how to respond to diverse cultural needs of a wide variety of Indigenous people.
- Knowledge about the effects of colonization and residential schools, including intergenerational trauma.
- Class 4 driver’s licence to drive Elders on campus and to related community events as required.
- 5+ years’ experience working in relationship building, ideally in an educational context.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Conflict resolution skills and / or experience or interest to train in culturally appropriate counselling modalities.
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
- Able to work independently and to multi-task effectively while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Thrives working in a fast-paced environment with multiple, sometimes conflicting, deadlines.
- Strong decision-maker and problem-solver who takes initiative.
- Understanding of indigenous communities and cultural protocols.
- Curious and pursues learning and continual self-development.
- Interest in how arts and leadership complement one another.
- Experience working with diverse communities, in particular Indigenous communities, is an asset.
- Some technical skills related to websites (or aptitude for learning these) is desirable.
- Experience with leading multi-stakeholder projects including an in-depth knowledge of learning experiences, and related materials and technology is an asset.
- Flexible with work schedule requiring some evening/weekend work, along with limited overnight travel.
Employment Terms and Benefits
- In accordance with CUPE 4318, this is a unionized, salaried support staff position, subject to a 6 month probation period.
- The annual salary for this position is between $63,960 to $67,163, depending on experience, based on working 40 hours per week.
- The successful candidate will have access to a range of benefits through Alberta Blue Cross and will be eligible to participate in our defined benefit pension plan.
Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:
- Transitional staff housing options (based on availability)
- Professional development
- Employee Assistance Program
- Health care spending account
- Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts
Application Process
We are accepting applications for the program associate and Elder / knowledge keeper helper position until a suitable candidate is found.
Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.
Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
For more information and to apply, please visit Banff Centre Careers: banffcentre.ca.
