BACKGROUND:
SCO is a growing and dynamic regional First Nation organization that represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now southern Manitoba. Established in 1999 by the Chiefs, SCO is mandated as an independent organization to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nation peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
SCO provides competitive compensation and excellent pension and benefits, as well as a positive work environment.
OVERVIEW:
The Indian Residential School (IRS) Project Manager/Senior Researcher is responsible for assisting Survivors and descendants in locating, applying for, and understanding information including their residential and day school records. The position conducts extensive research requiring expertise in government and privately held records, and in particular a knowledge of the records and records access systems at Health Canada, Library and Archives Canada, the Archives of Manitoba, and Manitoba Health and Manitoba Vital Statistics, as well as the records and archives of faith-based communities, municipal records, funeral home records, and a familiarity with residential school records including ledgers and accounting systems.
The IRS Project Manager/Senior Researcher is also responsible for responding to families looking for records of lost or missing loved ones, including those sent to residential schools, but also those who were moved to sanitoriums, Indian hospitals, or mainstream hospitals.
The IRS Project Manager/Senior Researcher will organize small events, and present at national and international residential school conferences and events.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Support southern First Nation citizens and member Nations with improved access to residential and day school records, contextual information relating to these records, and information on missing or deceased family members
- Support member Nations and citizens with research and information around unmarked graves connected with residential schools
- Support Survivors to create Survivor-led histories of residential and day school experiences as an important documentation of Truth and which could include Survivor-led projects such as a book, oral histories, videos, or podcasts that share stories and perspectives
- Develop, implement, evaluate, and report on workplans that align with the TRC Calls to Action and the Priorities of Southern First Nation Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors 2023 Survey Report
- Develop, coordinate, and implement a community engagement strategy
- Create archive of resources and research on residential and day schools as well as sanitoriums, Indian hospitals, and mainstream hospitals
- Develop, maintain, and protect the electronic databases that record project activities, decisions and processes of reclamation, and project financial expenses
- Obtain funding to expand project
- Act as lead and the main point of contact for all matters relating to residential and day schools
- Serve as SCO representative on external committees, working groups, planning tables and other stakeholders
- Create and maintain culturally appropriate working relationships with relevant government and private records holders to support access and advocacy
- Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams to coordinate services i.e. archeology, forensic research, police, investigators, researchers, technicians (e.g. ground penetrating radar)
- Work with federal and provincial governments to amend outdated legislation including the Historic Sites and Monuments Act and the Heritage Resources Act and to advocate for timely and culturally appropriate access to government-held records pertaining to First Nations citizens
- Other related and relevant duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
- University degree(s) in a relevant field such as Indigenous Studies, History, or other Humanity or Social Science degrees
- Combination of education and experience will be considered
- Minimum 5 years of project management or related experience
- Experienced historical researcher familiar with First Nations research methods and an understanding of First Nations people and communities
- Advanced analytical skills including the ability to read historical evidence closely and critically, to synthesize material from a broad range of sources, and to independently apply knowledge of changing contexts to solve problems
- Familiarity with government, church, and other related records, and comprehensive understanding of archival research methodologies, systems and online tools such as ancestry.ca
- Familiarity with First Nations history and federal Indian policy as well as scholarship on the subject
- Understanding of effects of colonization, in relation to the impacts of residential and day schools
- Strong networking, public speaking, and advocacy skills
- Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills marked by professionalism, teamwork, and courtesy. Ability to relate to a wide range of users to provide the appropriate resources and/or services
- Strong sense of professional judgement, tact, ethics, sensitivity, integrity and confidentiality
- Work cooperatively and productively with others to achieve common goals; demonstrate respect, cooperation, and collaboration
- Handles information in a sensitive way that demonstrates and promotes discretion and trustworthiness
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
- Must provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
- A valid class 5 MB driver’s license with access to a reliable vehicle for business travel
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Thursday, September 12th, 2024, at 4:30 PM CST
Please submit a cover letter and resume to:
Human Resources
Southern Chiefs’ Organization
202-600 Empress Street
Winnipeg, MB R3G 0L5
Fax: (204) 946-1871 | hr@scoinc.mb.ca
Preference will be given to qualified First Nations candidates.
Please self-identify in your cover letter.
Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected will be contacted for further consideration.