Land-Based Coordinator

Supervisor: Anishinaabe Aadiziwin, Coordinator

Term: Contract

Department: Anishinaabe Aadiziwin

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with one hour unpaid lunch (35 hours per week)

The Land-Based Coordinator plays a vital role in preserving and passing on Anishinabek traditional knowledge, language, and teachings, ensuring their respectful use and sustainability for future generations while fostering the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness of community members. Working closely with Elders, knowledge keepers, and community partners, the coordinator facilitates culturally safe, inclusive, and meaningful land-based activities for youth, families, and individuals that integrate traditional knowledge, environmental stewardship, and hands-on learning in natural settings to strengthen identity and belonging. This position also supports the development and observance of proper customs and protocols, manages access for non-community members to sacred spaces, and upholds responsibilities aligned with Anishinaabe Aadziwin to ensure the respectful and appropriate use of cultural practices and ceremonies.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a work plan that focuses on Anishinabemowin and cultural development.
• To establish a budget that corresponds with the activities provided in the work plan.
• Must be able to plan and coordinate activities and events.
• Prepare a monthly calendar of activities to distribute to the community.
• Must be able to monitor and manage program budget/reporting.
• Participate in quarterly community engagement activities with Anishinabek Elders and community members for the purpose of Anishinaabe Aadziwin community development and initiatives.
• Coordinate firekeeping duties: assisting in scheduling firekeepers for traditional ceremonies and community events; mentoring and passing on firekeeping knowledge to other men.
• Assist in managing and setting up traditional ceremonies, including spring/fall fasting ceremonies, sweat lodges, and other community healing ceremonies.
• Working with traditional medicines and ensuring Traditional items and spaces are properly cared for according to protocol.
• Land caretaker duties, collaborating with other departments to manage access (for non-community members and tourists) and scheduling the use of traditional spaces, as within our Anishinaabe protocol and customs.

Land-Based Education and Practices:

• Promoting land stewardship: Leading programs that teach traditional land-use practices such as hunting, fishing, and foraging.
• Cultural camps and workshops: Organizing seasonal camps or events where participants can learn skills like shelter building, fire making, or plant harvesting.
• Environmental sustainability: Incorporating Indigenous ecological knowledge in land management and conservation efforts.
• Intergenerational learning: Creating opportunities for youth to learn from elders in a natural setting.

Community Engagement:

• Working with schools: Collaborating with educational institutions to integrate land-based and language learning into curricula.
• Building partnerships: Networking with other Indigenous communities, language speakers, and cultural organizations.
• Grant writing and funding: Securing resources for programs, projects, and initiatives related to both language revitalization and land-based learning.

Teamwork & Collaboration:

• The Land-Based Coordinator will work collaboratively with other team members, including the Program Coordinator, Language Coordinator, and Fluent Traditional Knowledge Keepers, to integrate harvesting and land-based activities into broader cultural programming. This collaborative approach ensures that all team members are supported in delivering holistic programs that align with the Anishinaabe Aadiziwin pillars of Language, Culture, Heritage, and Wellness.
• Support other team members in delivering holistic programs that align with the Anishinaabe Aadiziwin pillars of Language, Culture, Heritage, and Wellness, which are the core values of our organization.

Qualifications:

• Ability to speak Anishinaabemowin or willingness to learn to become fluent is considered an asset.
• High school Diploma, including certification in Outdoor Leadership, Indigenous Studies, or Community Wellness (or willingness to obtain certifications).
• Strong knowledge of Ojibway culture, land-based practices, and traditional teachings.
• Experience in the coordination of community and cultural programs.
• Experience with land navigation, harvesting, and survival skills.
• Familiar with community/Anishinabek protocols.
• Must be highly motivated and must have proven experience working independently.

Skills:

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Familiarity with health and wellness issues in Indigenous communities, including trauma-informed practices.

• Highly organized with excellent time management and multitasking abilities.

• Proactive and self-motivated with a high level of initiative.

• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends during programming, ceremonies, etc.
• First Aid and CPR Certification and Mental Health First Aid Certification.

Upon Hire:

• Must provide an acceptable Police Vulnerable Sector Screening Check (VSSC) upon hire.

For a complete description, please email:

APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 19th, 2025, AT NOON.

Interested applicants must submit a current resume, cover letter, two (2) work-related references, and one (1) character reference (with contact information) to:

CONFIDENTIAL: Land-Based Coordinator

c/o Human Resources

Whitefish River First Nation

17-A Rainbow Ridge Road, P.O. Box 188; Birch Island, ON P0P1A0

Email applications are also accepted at:

At Whitefish River First Nation, we value diversity and inclusion. Miigwetch to all who apply; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.