The
Learner Services department’s role in student success is to create a culture and environment that unleashes the full potential of all the students at SAIT. Our primary goal is to support Student-First Culture, by focusing on student success and mobilizing all campus community members in this shared goal.
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
- 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
- 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, orientation and convocation
- Facilitation or participation in traditional ceremonies
- Input, advice or guidance on course curriculum, or guidance to committees
- Smudging ceremonies
- Increase access to Indigenous cultures, spirituality and ways of knowing on campus
- First Nation ceremonies, protocols and ways of knowing from the people of Treaty 7
- The history of Treaty 7 including territory, tribes, governments, and nations
- Connections to the Indigenous community including Elders, knowledge keepers, ceremonialist, academics and grassroots groups
- Deep understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada 94 Calls to Action
- Understanding of the United Nations Declaration the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
- Historical and ongoing impacts of colonization including: The Indian Act, Residential Schools, 60s Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2 Spirited Peoples, etc.
- Knowledge of a First Nation language with preference to Treaty 7 (Blackfoot, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina)
- Strong understanding of and positive attitude toward Indigenous population
- Knowledge of barriers affecting access to post-secondary education for Indigenous students
- Ability to maintain high-level of transparency, confidentiality and professionalism with SAIT students and staff
Deliver teachings and raise awareness on topics including but not limited to:
Support the campus community
Subject matter expert in:
Qualifications & Experience
- Diploma in social science, social work, or humanities or a related field and a 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
- Proof of Indigenous Ancestry will be required
- Strong communication, problem-solving, organization, time management skills
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills
- Knowledge of the needs of post-secondary Indigenous students
- Experience working in an Indigenous organization is an asset
- Ability to facilitate the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an asset
- 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
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
- 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: Student Services Advisor - A5009
Salary range: $63,000 - $68,000
Hours Per Week: 36.25
Position End Date: June 28, 2024
Posting closing date: May 19, 2023
About SAIT
SAIT is a global leader in applied education. Named one of Alberta’s Top Employers, we offer the chance to work with a purpose — preparing the next generation of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates and explorers.
Building on our 100+ year history, we’re looking for innovative, bold and collaborative employees who embrace change and deliver world-class customer experiences. Your future starts now at SAIT.
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is essential to achieving SAIT’s vision to be a global leader in applied education. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Learn more about EDI at SAIT.
At SAIT, we understand that experience comes in many forms. We’re dedicated to adding diverse perspectives to SAIT - so if your experience is close to what we’re looking for, please consider applying.
SAIT is committed to supporting persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. We will work with applicants to provide accommodations upon request to the Talent Advisor.
BEWARE FALSE POSTINGS AND RECRUITING OFFERS
SAIT has been made aware of individuals or organizations posing as SAIT using false postings to attract job seekers and collect personal information. Please be aware that SAIT will never request sensitive personal information beyond what is required for an application.
Career opportunities at SAIT will always be posted on the SAIT career site and we encourage applicants to only apply directly through there. When your application is completed you will receive an email confirmation, if you did not receive one please check your junk mail or try applying through the SAIT career page again.
Please Note :
nvalabs.org is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, nvalabs.org provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, Site.com is the ideal place to find your next job.