Maskwiomin is an Indigenous-owned (50%) small business, started in 2020, that manufactures and sells skincare products based on a Mi’kmaq skin medicine. The company is located in Sydney, NS and has been selling their products online and through retailers. The skin medicine is based on birch bark extract that was traditionally made in a campfire.
The mission for Maskwiomin is the ethical commercialization of a traditional Mi’kmaw skin medicine. The co-founder are Tuma Young (Mi’kmaq, ethnobotanist, lawyer, university scholar) and Dr. Matthias Bierenstiel (chemistry professor).
This business come from a joint academic research program on “maskwi’omi = birch bark extract” and is based on 2-eyed seeing methodology balancing science and Indigenous knowledge. The commercialization is based on this research and received approval by the Elders and the community of Membertou First Nation prior to incorporation.
Position Title Production Intern
Position Description / Qualifications
Maskwiomin is now in a growth phase and requires CO-OP support for summer 2024 to augment the production of products.
Qualifications: CO-OP students need to be in their 2nd to 4th year at college (NSCC) or university level for business, science or engineering.
Position: The CO-OP production intern will assist in formulating cream products and soap products that Maskwiomin is currently producing. This is part of the standardized SOP for skincare regulation. Currently, Maskwiomin has 27 SKUs. The CO-OP intern will also assist in developing additional SOPs and assist with product development such as new products. Prior to rolling out new products, the new formulation has to be tested and these tests to be conducted by the CO-OP intern. The intern will work with production staff, as well as sales force staff, to assist with the development of new packaging and marketing material.
The CO-OP positions will provide a great learning opportunity to enter workforce after graduation. It will also show how a Mi’kmaw product is sold in ethical commercialization.
Work Location Maskwiomin, 37 Nepean St, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Canada, B1P 6A7
Position Start Date: for summer 2024
Coop positions are 16 weeks with 35 h per week. Hourly rate is $18/h.
Application deadline of April 8.
Standard work week is Monday to Friday, 7 hours/day. Flexibility in regard to hours, such as: 8 to 4 (7 h plus 1 h lunch); 8 to 3:30 (7 h plus 30 min lunch); 9 to 5 (7 h plus 1 h lunch); or 9 to 4:30 (7 h plus 30 min lunch)
Please send resume & cover letter to olena.maskwiomin@gmail.com