Indigenous Student Centre

**About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: The **Office of Indigenous Initiatives** is responsible for championing and/or supporting through advice and counsel Indigenous initiatives across a broad range of areas including student affairs, academic programs, workforce planning, space planning, policy and implementation, and training and development etc... Through collaborative and community-engaged processes, the Office will facilitate partnerships that increase Indigenous voices and presence across all levels of work, study and research at Western. Office of Indigenous Initiatives Priority areas - Institutional Indigenous strategic planning - Indigenous communications - Indigenous community engagement and advisories - Indigenous space planning and management - Indigenous access and recruitment strategies - Indigenous curriculum and training development - Indigenous faculty and staff recruitment and retention strategy Within this Office, the **Indigenous Student Centre** unit is organizationally housed, and offers culturally relevant wholistic and strength-based programs and services geared toward Indigenous students at Western. The Indigenous Student Centre works towards fostering a thriving student environment, to inspire Indigenous students at Western to realize their full potential through a culturally relevant space, services and advocacy that encourage wholistic and strength-based approaches to learning. **Responsibilities**: The Mini-University Team Leader will lead the organization and delivery of all aspects of the Mini-University Summer Program under the guidance of the Community Enhancement Coordinator. The Mini-U Team Leader will provide continuous care for Indigenous youth during the program sessions and oversee the Youth Mentors (five positions). The incumbent will offer leadership, energetic engagement and encourage youth to participate in all Mini-University activities meaningfully. This role is also responsible for assisting in training five Youth Mentors and taking the Community Enhancement Coordinator's place when they are not present. This position will act as a point-of-contact for staff, youth, and partners alike in executing the Mini-University program. Staff are required to work in-person for the duration of their contract. Mini-University staff will work out of the Wampum Learning Lodge at Western University. **Qualifications** The following are the minimum qualifications needed to fulfill the job: - Previous experience working in a leadership or co-leadership position, particularly Western's Indigenous Student Centre Mini-U Program, is preferred. - Previous experience working with youth programs or summer camps is an asset. - Experience working with Indigenous youth in a group and educational setting is an asset. - Understanding of educational barriers that exist for Indigenous youth and families. - Demonstrated knowledge of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, organizations, and cultures. - Must be currently enrolled in post-secondary education. - Awareness of and sensitivity of the diverse nature of Indigenous cultures. - Able to maintain and promote confidentiality. - Able to keep healthy and professional working relationships and open communication with students, staff, and community partners. - Able to work well with others, maintain open and effective communication with all staff. - Excellent communication skills, both written and oral. - Able to work effectively under pressure. - Mature, good character, integrity, adaptability, and willingness to learn. - Applicants of First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit (FNMI) ancestry is considered an asset. **Requirements**: - Must attain Vulnerable Sector Screening. - Two references and contact information. - Must be available during program dates. **Please note that there is flexibility in the start/end date of the role, as well as weekly time commitment excluding the weeks that the youth participants are directly engaged in programming. (Camp will take place July 9th-July 14th and July 31st-August 4th)** **Why Western?**: **Background Checks**: Please note, successful applicants may be required to produce current record check(s) (e.g. vulnerable sector, criminal record and police information) from a police service prior to commencing employment. Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English