MDCC Lead Educator
About the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre
The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre is a project mandated by all thirteen Mi’kmaw Chiefs in Nova Scotia and administered through The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), one of two Mi’kmaw tribal councils in Nova Scotia. The future MDCC will be an experiential cultural centre that will anchor Mi’kmaw culture and heritage sectors with more than 60,000 annual visitors, integrating community outreach and knowledge with robust educational and public programming. Since 2002, all thirteen Mi’kmaw First Nations in Nova Scotia have repeatedly affirmed the MDCC project and its mandate to protect the Debert ancestral sites, to return Mi’kmaw collections from across North America and to develop visitor and educational programming. From its inception, the MDCC Elders’ Advisory Council has guided the project.
Position Overview
The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre is looking for an energetic and creative educator to become the MDCC Lead Educator. The MDCC Lead Educator will be an integral part of the MDCC team as we build our future Centre over the next four years, ensuring that we can meet the needs of two of our primary audiences: 1) the Mi’kmaq and other indigenous peoples; and 2) educators and learners of all ages. Working with the Sharing Our Stories Coordinator and the Program Development Officer, the Lead Educator will develop, pilot and deliver primary educational programs including a broad range of curriculum support to educators across Nova Scotia and beyond; particular emphases will be placed on Ta’n Teli-ktuapsimk (“Land”-Based Learning) and Mi’kmaw ways of knowing and being. The Lead Educator will also participate in the architectural and exhibition design process as well as other public-facing projects. The position requires collaborative approaches to work and a willingness to act as a team member. It requires also the ability to self-direct and self-manage independent work tasks.
Responsibilities
• Creating engaging, meaningful and innovative educational programs, including piloting and delivery, for two primary audiences: 1) Mi’kmaw and other indigenous people, and 2) educators and learners across Nova Scotia.
• Playing a key role in the architectural and exhibition design processes for the future Centre and ensuring that the educational programming and priorities are met within this design process. • Developing land-based learning strategies and opportunities with Mi’kmaw knowledge holders for the MDCC campus and beyond.
• Partnering with new and existing educational partners such as Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey and the Chignecto Central Regional Education Centre to advance MDCC educational programming and resources.
• Enhancing and diversifying online educational resources and opportunities for learners of all ages through the MDCC website and the (future) MDCC digital portal.
• Mentoring and knowledge transfer with the MDCC Program Development Officer.
• Working in partnership with other MDCC staff to create educational resources and opportunities from new and existing curatorial resources (archival resources such as Elders interviews, museum collections, language records, etc.).
• Other communication duties as identified by the Executive Director and the Sharing Our Stories Coordinator.
Position Requirements:
• University degree in education, Mi’kmaw Studies, anthropology, history or equivalent;
• Three to five years’ experience in an education-related position;
• minimum two-years experience working in an educational outreach environment (or equivalent);
• competency and confidence in sharing Mi’kmaw worldviews (e.g., ms+t no’kmaq), concepts (e.g., netukulimk) and practices (e.g., etuaptmumk) as well as a passion for learning and growing understanding of the same;
• instructional expertise and public presentation skills, with an online facilitation component preferable;
• Excellent writing, speaking and visual literacy skills;
• Experience working with Mi’kmaw First Nation communities, leadership, youth and Elders; • Spoken and written Mi’kmaw would be important assets;
• Knowledge of and/or experience with Mi’kmaw heritage, tourism, and cultural sectors as well as knowledge of archaeology and related sciences would be assets;
• Must have a valid driver’s license, vehicle and ability to travel.
Salary/Employment Term:
Expected annual salary: $51,500. This is a permanent position with a six-month probationary term. The position will be managed by the policies the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, who offer a substantial benefits package to all employees including a generous leave policy.
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Submit Cover Letter AND Resume to: Human Resources c/o The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq PO Box 1590, Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5V3 Email: HR@cmmns.com
We are an equal opportunity employer; however, qualified Indigenous applicants will be given priority in accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. Only those applicants who provide an up-to-date CV along with a cover letter and qualify for an interview will be contacted. The successful candidate may be required to submit a current criminal record check. Applicants must provide proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
The Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq 52 Legends Ave. Millbrook, Nova Scotia B6L 0A3
Leanne MacKenzie HR@cmmns.com Preferred Contact: Email
