Consultation Assistant

**About the Lac Ste. Anne Métis Community Association**

The Lac Ste. Anne Métis Community Association (LSAMCA) is the representative body for the historic and contemporary Lac Ste. Anne Métis (LSAM) community, an independent, vibrant Métis community. We are a section 35 (_Constitution Act, _1982) Métis Aboriginal rights-bearing collective (otherwise known as a ‘Powley’ community) whose traditional territory encompasses present day west central and northwest Alberta.

As a kinship-based community, and with a strong sense of community and cultural identity, we participate in a shared culture inclusive of our distinctive customs and traditions, including the continued exercise of our Métis harvesting rights. These activities and way of life remain core to our identity as a modern-day, rights bearing Métis people.

In September 2022, we successfully completed the Alberta government’s Métis Credible Assertion Process and Criteria and are acknowledged by the Alberta government as the second Métis organization in Alberta to establish a credible assertion of Métis harvesting rights. As a result of this success, our Consultation Department is now very busy.

**About the LSAMCA Consultation Department**

The LSAMCA Consultation Department is responsible for ensuring coordinated consultation processes with governments, natural resource companies, and other organizations with respect to our section 35 Métis harvesting rights and traditional land use activities. An aspect of this involves ensuring that legal obligations have been met by project proponents and the Crown. Examples of typical projects we encounter are oil and gas pipelines, coal mines, and forestry activities. Examples of government projects we are involved with include land use planning activities, the establishment and/or management of parks, and wildlife management.

**Position Overview**

Reporting to Consultation and Regulatory Specialist, the Consultation Assistant will play a direct role in the consultation process, including through organizing and participating in virtual and in-person meetings, preparing capacity funding proposals, contributing to policy feedback, drafting letters and reports, and generally advocating for LSAMCA through the consultation process with a view to ensuring protection of our members section 35 Métis rights and interests.

Consultation with Indigenous communities, including LSAMCA, is rapidly changing in Alberta and, more broadly, in Canada so the focus of the Consultation Assistant will vary over time.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Engaging with provincial, federal, and municipal governments, natural resource companies, and other organizations seeking consultation with LSAMCA.
- Assisting with management of multiple consultation files.
- Maintain detailed records of meetings, correspondence, and commitments.
- Assisting to prepare budgets for project proponents.
- Support policy development and review processes.
- Contribute to building the capacity of the Consultation Office and supporting community priorities.
- Assisting to suggest project mitigations and/or adjustments to safeguard LSAMCA rights and interests.

**Qualifications**
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- A self-starter attitude.
- Post-secondary education or equivalent in experience, which may include land-based knowledge, and relationships with Indigenous communities.
- Knowledge of Indigenous communities and contexts.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple tasks.
- A willingness to learn about a range of consultation matters, including those related to natural resources and government processes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a variety of external contacts.
- A valid class five (5) Driver’s License.

**Assets**
- Familiarity with the Government of Alberta’s Indigenous consultation policies and guidelines is an asset.
- Knowledge of provincial and federal regulatory regimes, such as those of the Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Utilities Commission, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, and Canada Energy Regulator.
- An understanding of environmental and land-use issues as pertains to Indigenous peoples.
- Experience with grant writing and proposal development is considered an asset.
- Demonstrated understanding of self-determination as pertains to Indigenous people.
- An understanding of Microsoft Sharepoint.

**What We Offer**
- An opportunity to work directly with a dynamic, growth-oriented organization and to contribute to protecting the Lac Ste. Anne Métis community’s rights and way of life.
- A collaborative and supportive team environment.
- Competitive salary and benefits package (to be discussed).
- Professional development and growth opportunities.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only those selected for an interview wil