Indigenous Services Coordinator (Contract)

Position Summary

Support Staff Full-time Appendix D Contract Position (October 2024 – January 2025)

At Conestoga College, education, access, and belonging are institutional priorities. We recognize that post-secondary institutions are uniquely positioned to take action that can positively impact Indigenous health, language, culture, and education. Conestoga is committed to increasing Indigenous learners’ access to and success in post-secondary education and closing the participation and achievement gap. We continue to be dedicated to supporting positive outcomes in post-secondary education and training for Indigenous people living in Ontario. Learn more about Indigenous initiatives at Conestoga.

The Indigenous Services Coordinator has several key responsibilities, all rooted in enhancing the Indigenous student experience at Conestoga College. The Coordinator is responsible for developing programming, activities, and initiatives that include traditional Indigenous knowledge and modern Indigenous ways of knowing to encompass a wholesome approach to learning, community building and celebrating Indigenous culture on campus. In addition, the incumbent fosters connections and works collaboratively across the College in Indigenous Initiatives, student recruitment, student services, and teaching and learning. The Coordinator has lived experience as an Indigenous person with an understanding of how Indigenous culture and traditions inform a student’s well-being. The incumbent will work with the Manager of Indigenous Services to build community, inside and outside the college, to continue moving towards meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department by working on-site at the Doon campus, located at 299 Doon Valley Dr, Kitchener, ON N2G 4M4, Monday to Friday, from 8:30am-4:30pm. This position also requires occasional travel to other college campuses.

Applications will be sent to the Hiring Manager on a weekly basis. We would like to thank all applicants who apply, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Responsibilities

Indigenous Services Programming

• Researching innovative opportunities and methods to effectively engage students
• Developing strong, collaborative relationships with a range of college departments to increase communication and enhance resources available to students on all campuses and virtually
• Monitoring the status of activities and programs; maintaining required timelines and deadlines
• Facilitating partnerships with Elders from a variety of backgrounds and acting as a liaison between students and Elders
• Arranging and facilitating sharing circles; creating a safe space for the students to share emotionally and culturally
• Planning and implementing a calendar of events that may include cultural teachings, academic connections, and opportunities for socializing and connection

Administrative Activities

• Managing and overseeing Indigenous student inquiries
• Managing Indigenous student metrics and associated databases in consultation with Institutional Research and the Registrar’s Offices
• Managing and updating Indigenous Services online content, including assisting in developing marketing and promotional materials content
• Liaising with college stakeholders (e.g., Student Affairs, Corporate Communications, Information Technology Services, etc.) to ensure communicated initiatives and events
• Organizing and administering student self-identification, bursaries, and other processes to support student access
• Participating in Indigenous Council meetings
• Creating orientation packages for Indigenous students
• Supporting the maintenance of budgets and work plans and researching funding sources

Community Engagement

• Developing and nurturing relationships with community organizations and leaders to support and enhance programming
• Fostering relationships with other educational institutions and representing the college at Indigenous community events, including conferences, local Indigenous ceremonies, etc.
• Participating in educational outreach, visiting schools, and providing cultural education

Event and Outreach Planning

• Working with key stakeholders in Student Affairs to participate in the recruitment, hiring, and training processes for student staff, co-op students, and student volunteers
• Providing ongoing guidance and support to student staff and volunteers
• Working with a team of student staff and volunteers to develop and execute events
• Functioning as a subject-matter expert for Indigenous Services and the College

Qualifications

• A minimum one-year certificate in a related field is required, preferably in Indigenous Studies and/or Indigenous ceremony/cultural teachings
• A minimum of three years of community engagement experience within an Indigenous community or coordinating Indigenous initiatives is required; cultural and arts-based experience is considered an asset
• Be First Nations, Metis, or Inuit with lived and learned experience of Indigenous world views, cultures, and values and strong ties to First Nation, Métis, and/or Inuit communities
• Ability to speak a local Native language is considered an asset
• Ability to articulate an Indigenous worldview within a post-secondary education context
• Excellent interpersonal, conflict resolution and diplomacy skills to develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong judgement, flexibility, adaptability, and written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and practical coordination experience, preferably in an educational environment, is considered an asset
• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications such as SharePoint and OneDrive for email, document creation and storage, file sharing and management, presentation development and design, etc

Applicants are encouraged to share relevant information about their identity, community connections and/or their lived and learned experience of Indigenous world views, cultures, and values in their cover letter.

Conestoga College acknowledges that Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford are located on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Haudenosaunee people of Six Nations, which includes six miles on either side of the Grand River. This is the traditional territory of the Anishnawbe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory we reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land for thousands of years.

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