Indigenous Cultural Coordinator

REQUISITION # 46883

POSITION TYPE PERMANENT, FULL-TIME (Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

The opportunity:

Under the direction of the Director of Ongomiizwin Education, this position is responsible for providing comprehensive administrative, logistical, and cultural coordination support to the Elders-in-Residence and Knowledge Keepers in the delivery of educational, ceremonial, and community-based activities. The incumbent coordinates schedules, prepares resources, supports meetings and student engagement, and ensures Elders are fully prepared to participate in teaching, research advisory committees, and community initiatives.

The role plays a key part in planning, organizing, and delivering culturally relevant programs, workshops, ceremonies, and events across Ongomiizwin Education. This includes supporting the coordination of cultural activities, managing logistics and financial processes related to events and honoraria, and fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, institutional partners, and internal stakeholders to advance Indigenous cultural integration.

The incumbent must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, along with strong interpersonal abilities to engage effectively with students, faculty, senior leadership, and community members. A high level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail is essential, as is the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and prioritize competing demands. The role requires adaptability, professionalism, and the ability to maintain confidentiality, meet internal and external deadlines, and respond effectively to changing circumstances while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities:

Support

• Provides daily support to the Elder-in-Residence and Knowledge Keeper. Assists elder with planning, resource preparation, evaluation, meetings with students.
• Participates and assists in the coordination of all cultural activities of Ongomiizwin Education.
• Monitors and updates all Elder-in-Residence appointments, activities and assignments.
• Accompanies Elder to meetings locally and across Canada.
• Ensures Elder is fully equipped and prepared for participation in Research Advisory Committees, cultural and community activities.
• Attend all Ongomiizwin cultural activities/workshops.
• Must be flexible to accommodate evening and weekend commitments.
• Assist Ongomiizwin Education in the coordination of cultural activities, workshops, and events.
• Provide monthly and annual reports on all activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Liaises with UM departments and units, as well as external Indigenous organizations and governments, developing personal contacts.

Cultural Integration and Event Planning

• Provide support for all Ongomiziwin events.
• Create, coordinate, and deliver new programs and learning workshops for Rady Staff and Students.
• Research best practices for cultural integration through culturally responsive methods.
• Work in collaboration with Indigenous communities both on and off campuses to create a strong sense of identity and pride.
• Act in an advisory capacity, respond to inquiries regarding best practices for integrating Indigenous culture.
• Collaborate with other campus units, UM community and external community to create reciprocal relationships and promote, coordinate, and deliver programming and workshops.
• Develop and facilitate activities that promote the celebration of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures.
• Manage and coordinate key events for the unit, including cultural workshops, Sweat Lodge Prep sessions, Sweat Lodge Ceremony logistics etc.
• Establishes and maintains appropriate files, forms, records, databases, archival data files and distribution lists.
• Lead the coordination of events, sessions, and consultations.
• Assess the performance of the programs with culturally responsive methods to identify strengths, opportunities, gaps and recommends improvement or enhancement to Director.
• Manage coordination of ceremonial gatherings - provide any aspect of support that is required.
• Lead the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences community in delivering relevant cultural workshops in collaboration with units, departments, deans and directors.
• Consult and partner with internal stakeholders to increase awareness and ensure Indigenous cultural practices and knowledges are being considered when other units are delivering services.
• Attend meetings and provide input into integrating Indigenous world view into processes, policies and committees.
• Initiate, facilitate, develop and maintain respectful relationships with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences community, U of M community and external Indigenous community and partners.
• Ensure that all forms and materials passed to the Director are complete and accurate.
• Code and submit requisitions for payment of expenses, petty cash, purchase requisitions and travel forms.
• Process financial statements for university credit cards and concur expense claims.
• Prepare and track honoraria, travel costs, or appropriate remuneration for meeting and event attendees for Indigenous Cultural Integration.
• Manage preparation and logistics for events. including pre-approvals, travel arrangements, reimbursement of expenses, agenda development, and venue preparation.
• May be required to perform related duties not exceeding skills and capabilities as required.

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING

REQUIRED:

THIS POSITION IS DESIGNATED FOR INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES. APPLICANTS MUST SELF-DECLARE ON THEIR COVER LETTER/RESUME AS INDIGENOUS (FIRST NATION, METIS AND/OR INUIT).

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline.
• Knowledge of university regulations, programs and procedures as they relate to the function/program.

EXPERIENCE:

• One year of directly-related administrative experience is required.
• Three years of experience working with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or Cultural Specialists is required.
• Experience in Indigenous ceremony and cultural practices is required.
• Proven experience working within the Indigenous communities with culturally respectful protocols required.
• Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures, colonization, socio-economic issues, and the importance of self-determination required.
• Knowledge of Indigenous programs at University of Manitoba and within community is an asset.
• Knowledge of Indigenous programs at University of Manitoba and within community is an asset.
• Knowledge of traditional medicines and understanding of working with those medicines preferred.
• Experience with working with Indigenous community governance and facilitating Indigenous community programming preferred.
• Experience with student/faculty development, Indigenous knowledge and education, educational programming and program development is preferred.
• Experience employing Indigenous ways of knowing into administrative activities preferred.
• Previous administrative experience in an academic setting is preferred.
• Experience in organizing Indigenous events preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be able to work effectively with students, staff, faculty, Elders, alumni, Indigenous communities, community organizations, and the public is required.
• Genuine interest and commitment to advancing Indigenous Engagement at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences and a commitment to Indigenous Health and Healing practices is required.
• Strong networking, intercultural and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with multiple audiences is required.
• Strong commitment to Indigenous Health and Healing practices is required.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills required.
• Ability to nurture a safe and respectful workplace is required.
• Ability to communicate in a professional and respectful manner at all times, recognizing the part that each role plays in contributing to the Faculty of Health Sciences is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite products required.
• Proficient in multi-tasking in order to meet competing deadlines required.
• Must possess a demonstrated ability to work independently and accurately under pressure is required.
• Maintaining a high level of confidentiality and respect at all times is required.
• Knowledge and understanding of the historical perspective of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the effects of the colonial process and its relevance to Indigenous Health and Indigenous Health Education is required.
• Ability to work flexible hours for evening and weekend activities/meetings is required.
• Must have valid driver’s license and access to vehicle is required.
• Must be able to work weeknights and weekends when required for work with Elders and ceremonies – overtime at times will be required.
• A satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.

OTHER JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of Indigenous culture. Truth and Reconciliation, history, residential schools and the Indian Act and its impact on Indigenous people of Canada. Indigenous Language will be considered an asset.
• Ability to communicate in an Indigenous Language is an asset
• Experience working with online expense tracking, PO software and travel reconciliation( such as VIP, FAST, Epic, and Concur) is preferred.