Indigenous Knowledge Keeper
October 14 2024
Industries
Education, Training
Categories Training - Development - Improvement
Calgary, AB • Full time
The Opportunity
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) is located in the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina, and the Iyarhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is "Moh'kinstsis" which we now call the City of Calgary. The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation.
Reporting to the Manager of Chinook Lodge, Student Services is looking to hire a 1-year term position for an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. This role will be housed in Chinook Lodge but will work across the institution and support the campus community on the journey toward truth and reconciliation. Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Cultural Advisors play a central role in Indigenous communities; they are teachers within and beyond their communities.
Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Cultural Advisors are not self-taught individuals. They have been gifted with their respective teachings by other Elders or Knowledge Keepers, typically over years of mentorship and teaching.
These teachings are held as sacred knowledge and vary from each respective knowledge source. Ideally, permission has been given for individuals to share what their learned and acquired knowledge permits. Once the Keepers are felt to have learned and understood the knowledge and have made it a part of their own lives, it is accepted that they can now deliver these learnings and teachings to others.
The term "Knowledge Keeper" or "Traditional Knowledge Keeper" refers to someone who has been taught by an Elder or a senior Knowledge Keeper within their community. This person holds traditional knowledge and teachings, they have been taught how to care for these teachings and when it is and is not appropriate to share this knowledge with others.
A "Cultural Advisor" is another form of a teacher. They hold cultural knowledge that has been shared with them by more experienced teachers (Elders or Knowledge Keepers).
Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors at SAIT play a central role in increasing awareness around Indigenous knowledge, histories, languages, and ways of knowing in our campus community. They can provide informal and formal teachings to raise awareness of Indigenous histories, world views and to help both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff and faculty increase their own cultural competencies and awareness. They can also complement course content by providing cultural context and Indigenous knowledge.
The Role
- Deliver teachings and raise awareness on topics including but not limited to:
- Wellness teachings
- Knowledge of traditional plants and medicines
- Value systems
- Indigenous Languages
- Indigenous arts, crafts and songs
- Ceremonial knowledge and cultural protocols
- Tipi raising
- Societies teachings
- Creation/Origin stories
- Governance structures
- Support the campus community:
- One-on-one meetings (for students, staff or faculty)
- Opening address or prayer for conferences, orientations, events, etc.
- Presentations (speaking requests, workshop facilitation, etc.)
- Invitation to attend an event as a guest
- Participation in a lecture, class or seminar
- Participation in orientation and convocation
- Facilitation or participation in traditional ceremonies
- Input, advice or guidance on course curriculum
- Input, advice or guidance to committees
- Smudging ceremonies
- Increase access to Indigenous cultures, spirituality and ways of knowing on campus
Qualifications
- Requirement
- Diploma in Social Science, Social Work, Humanities or a related field
- Minimum of three years' experience working with Indigenous peoples, ideally in an educational environment.
- Work experience and community involvement will be considered in place of education requirement.
- Experience working in an Indigenous organization is an asset
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multicultural Act
- SAIT Policy and Procedure AC 2.15.1 Indigenous Student Success Guide
- SAIT collective agreements
- SAIT policies and procedures
- Skills Required
- Ability to facilitate the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an asset
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Strong organization and time management skills
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills
- Ability to lead on the land learning sessions including tipi raising is an asset
- Strong understanding of and positive attitude toward Indigenous population
- Ability to maintain high-level of transparency, confidentiality and professionalism with SAIT students, staff and faculty
- Flexibility, patience, empathy, versatility and adaptability
- Crisis management skills an asset
- Ability to meet assigned deadlines and a commitment to task completion
- Strong teamwork skills (i.e. maintain open and respectful lines of communication, cooperation)
Job Classification: INFORMATION OFFICER II - A5068
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Salary Range: $50,000 - $59,471
Position End Date: June 30, 2025
Posting End Date: Until the position has been filled
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