Irs Legacy Coordinator

**IRS Legacy Coordinator**

**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 overall intent of this project is to provide respectful and appropriate commemoration of the survivors of the Indian Residential School (IRS) in Shubenacadie, and the legacy of the Residential School experience for survivors, their families, and communities. It is believed that such commemoration, will provide a focal point for remembrance and understanding and strengthen reconciliation for indigenous communities and Canadian society.

In keeping with the intent of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call to Action #76, it is important that the work of gathering input, planning and implementing commemoration activities be led by the Mi’kmaq.

A project Coordinator will provide overall coordination of the project activities and act as a liaison between The Survivors Advisory Council and MDCC staff. It is critical that this coordinator have experience in working with and have the respect of the Survivor community to ensure project success.

**Overview of Responsibilities**:

- Develop and implement appropriate protocols for the Survivors Gatherings as well as the long-term storage and use of information.
- Work with the Executive Director and the MDCC Project Administrator to design, organize and implement successful Survivor Gatherings.
- Work with the Regional Health Support Workers and the MDCC Project Administrator to ensure safe and supportive engagement with survivors across Mi’kma’ki.
- Facilitate meetings with IRS Survivors and families to understand and to identify priorities for the future MDCC.
- Review existing MDCC exhibition and program plans in light of outcomes from discussions with survivors, families, and other community members.
- Formalize and then further develop the IRS Archive and Collection at the MDCC with the MDCC Collections Manager through identifying and acquiring resources (documents, images, objects) as appropriate that reflect and honour the lives of survivors and their families.
- Develop the policy and protocols for the development of the IRS Archive and Collection for the MDCC with the MDCC Collections Manager
- Provide regular reporting to the MDCC regarding the outcomes of the community meetings.
- Work with the MDCC Cross Cultural Facilitator and other educators to create appropriate and meaningful school curriculum and programs to educate on the history and experience of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School as well as on the IRS experience across Canada.

**Position Requirements**:

- A range of experiences working with IRS Survivors and Descendants.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize and initiate work without direction.
- Ability to work collaboratively as a team member.
- Dedicated, organized, and meticulous.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- **Knowledge of and experience working with Mi’kmaw Elders and other community experts.**
- Spoken and written Mi’kmaw are strong assets.
- Workplace mental health training is a strong asset.
- Experience with creating and sustaining a trauma-informed workplace is a strong asset.
- Event management is a strong asset.
- **Knowledge of and experience working with Mi’kmaw historical and oral historical, ethnographic and/or archaeological collections.**

**- Bachelor’s degree in history, Canadian Studies, anthropology, or related field, or a combination of work and knowledge equivalence.**

**- Minimum one-year experience working in a cultural or community research or community educational outreach environment.**

**- Certifications in workplace mental health or other trauma-informed training would be assets.**

**- Certification in Microsoft Excel and Word and familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat would be assets.**

**- **Interest in cultural heritage, museum curation, digital collections, and community engagement.
- **Must **have a valid driver’s license, vehicle, and ability to travel.

**Why work with us?**

The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (The CMM) is well known throughout Canada as a professional organization that is committed to providing a pleas