EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Language Specialist
About the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre
The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre is a project mandated by all thirteen Mi’kmaw Chiefs in Nova
Scotia and administered through The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (CMM), one of two Mi’kmaw tribal
councils in Nova Scotia. The future MDCC will be an experiential cultural centre that will anchor Mi’kmaw
culture and heritage sectors with more than 60,000 annual visitors, integrating community outreach and
knowledge with robust educational and public programming. Since 2002, all thirteen Mi’kmaw First Nations
in Nova Scotia have repeatedly affirmed the MDCC project and its mandate to protect the Debert ancestral
sites, to return Mi’kmaw collections from across North America and to develop visitor and educational
programming. From its inception, the MDCC Elders’ Advisory Council has guided the project.
Position Overview
The MDCC Language Specialist will work on teaching and building language resources across the Centre’s
public, educational and research programs. Immediate tasks include the production of an existing lexicon for
sqaliaqnn aqq waisisk, development of language exhibits at the future Centre, and visiting language archives
in Canada and the United States. The language specialist will engage the curatorial work of the Centre as a
key member of the exhibition design team as well as the development of visitor programs.
The Specialist will be fluent in the Mi’kmaw language and be able to transliterate from spoken words
into the Smith/Francis orthography. Elder speakers and the Mi’kmawey Debert Elders’ Advisory Council
supports the development of language initiatives as well as other language tasks. The position requires
collaborative approaches to work and a willingness to act as a team member. It requires also the ability
to self-direct and self-manage independent work tasks. This is a permanent position pending funding and
initially funded through the Department of Canadian Heritage. The position is supervised by the Executive
Director of the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre.
Responsibilities
• Supporting language content for exhibition design and visitor program development;
• Research and compilation of old language terms from Elders, speakers, museum records and catalogues
as well as other archival and published records;
• Production of the sqaliaqnn aqq waisisk terms from existing archival and current sources; collaboration
with traditional knowledge holder and artist, Gerald Gloade, to produce the illustrated lexicon;
• Steering long-term language goals and translation approaches for the Centre.
Position Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work and knowledge in education, history, Canadian Studies,
anthropology, or related fields.
• Minimum one-year experience working in a cultural or community research or community educational
outreach environment.
• Fluent Mi’kmaw speaker with competency in transliteration to the Smith/Francis orthography.
• Knowledge of and experience with working with, Mi’kmaw Elders and other community experts
• Ability to work independently, prioritize and initiate work without direction.
• Strong dedication, organization, and co-operation skills.
• Excellent writing skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Word and Excel.
• Experience with content management systems is an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience working with Mi’kmaw historical and oral historical, ethnographic and/or
archaeological collections is an asset.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, vehicle, and ability to travel.
Why work with us?
The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq (The CMM) is well known throughout Canada as a professional
organization that is committed to providing a pleasant and healthy working environment for all its
employees. As an organization, we understand that a great work/life balance is essential to success. As a
full-time employee you can expect:
• An atmosphere that is both professional and family oriented.
• Enrollment in the organization’s benefits packages on your first day of employment with no waiting
period, which includes health and dental, and Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• Generous amounts of paid time off (paid statutory holidays plus St. Anne’s Day and Indigenous Peoples
Day, a summer shutdown (2 weeks), Christmas shutdown (roughly 2 weeks), plus 1 week of discretionary
vacation time (up to 2 weeks with 10 years of service).
• Social Committee, Staff Days, Staff Knowledge Days, etc.
Salary/Employment Term
Expected annual salary: $57,500.00. This is a permanent position (pending successful six-month
probationary contract). The position will be managed by the policies the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq,
who offer a substantial benefits package to all employees including a generous leave policy.
Submit cover letter AND resume to: Human Resources
c/o The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq
PO Box 1590, Truro, Nova Scotia B2N 5V3
Email: HR@cmmns.com
We are an equal opportunity employer; however, qualified Aboriginal applicants will be given priority in
accordance with the Aboriginal Employment Preference Policy of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Only those applicants who provide an up-to-date CV with a cover letter and qualify for an interview will
be contacted. The successful candidate may be required to submit a current criminal record check.
Applicants must provide proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency