EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Sharing Our Stories Coordinator
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 Sharing Our Stories program will share Mi’kmaw worldviews, language and history as we help learners
of all ages to perceive patterns in the cycles, seasons, and practices of Mi’kmaw ways of knowing and
doing. The program has three primary audiences, 1) the Mi’kmaq and other indigenous people; 2) learners
and educators of all ages; and 3) cultural tourists and other public visitors. The Coordinator is one of
four senior managers of the future Centre and is key to ensuring that the MDCC meets the needs of our
audiences. Working with the MDCC Program Development Officer, the Coordinator will develop, pilot and
deliver primary educational and visitor programs building toward a team of six educators and interpreters
at the time the Centre opens. The MDCC will continue to provide a broad range of curriculum support to
educators across Nova Scotia and beyond. Particular emphases will be placed on land/water-based learning
and sharing Mi’kmaw ways of knowing and being. The position requires collaborative approaches to work
and a willingness to act as a team member as well as the ability to self-direct independent work tasks.
Responsibilities
• Creating engaging, meaningful and innovative educational and visitor programs, including piloting and
delivery for the three primary audiences.
• Playing a key role in the architectural and exhibition design processes for the future Centre and
ensuring that the educational programming and priorities are met within this design process.
• Developing land/water-based learning strategies and opportunities with Mi’kmaw knowledge holders for
the MDCC campus and beyond.
• Training and managing six educational program staff at the future Centre including interpreters.
• Partnering with new and existing educational partners such as Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey and the
Chignecto Central Regional Education Centre to advance MDCC educational programs and resources.
• Enhancing and diversifying online educational resources and opportunities for learners of all ages
through the MDCC website and the (future) MDCC digital portal.
• Mentoring and knowledge transfer with the MDCC Program Development Officer.
• Working in partnership with other MDCC staff to create educational resources and opportunities from
curatorial resources (such as Elders interviews, museum collections, language records).
Position Requirements
• a degree from a recognized university in education, arts or a related field. Master’s degree preferable.
• minimum two-years experience working in an educational outreach environment (or equivalent);
• competency and confidence in sharing Mi’kmaw worldviews (e.g., kmitkinu), concepts (e.g., netukulimk)
and practices (e.g., etuaptmumk) as well as a passion for growing understanding of the same;
• instructional expertise and public presentation skills, with an online facilitation component preferable:
• knowledge of and experience with working with, Mi’kmaw Elders and other community experts;
• knowledge of and experience working with Mi’kmaw historical and oral historical, artistic, cultural and/or
archaeological collections;
• spoken and written Mi’kmaw are an important asset;
• able to work independently, prioritize and initiate work without direction;
• dedicated, organized, meticulous and co-operative;
• excellent writing skills;
• 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: $65,000.00. 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.