Indigenous Liaison (0.5 FTE or 1.0 FTE possible)

Start date is flexible

We are searching for individuals to help us take our next steps in becoming good neighbours to our local Indigenous communities and good partners as an intentionally inclusive and diverse learning community. To support this work, we are seeking an Indigenous Liaison (0.5 FTE) and an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Coordinator (0.5 FTE).

Under the support of our Indigenous Advisor, we have made concrete progress that includes the development of a whole-staff cultural literacy course, the commissioning of culturally significant pieces, and the appointment of a school-wide Indigenous Scholar. With respect to EDI, our Advisory Committee of sixteen students, alumni, parents and staff partnered with an external consultant to survey our wider community and present recommendations that were recently ratified by our Board.

Knowing that flexibility is key, we are open to hiring separate individuals for each role or one person for both. If separate, we will do our best to match an applicant’s skills and experience to other needs at the school should that applicant desire full time work. If combined, you need only submit one application expressing your intent. We know that few applicants will hold all of the qualities listed in the posting, so please do not be daunted in your decision to apply.

Our journey in these areas has been rewarding and meaningful to date. We are excited about what lies ahead.

Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, St. Michaels University School (SMUS) is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 day and boarding school with a global reputation for academic excellence.

One of our core values at St. Michaels University School is respect. With this in mind, we acknowledge that our school rests in the heart of Straits Salish territory, a living culture with its own rites, ceremonies, and unfolding history. We honour the Esquimalt, Songhees, and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples – whose homelands we share and whom we recognize as our neighbours.

Our students from over 30 countries all over the world have opportunities in academics, athletics, arts, leadership, service and outdoor education, and are inspired by an extraordinary staff committed to character growth and preparing students for what lies ahead in life. The school’s Mission shapes these endeavours: Our school seeks the excellence in all of us, with passion and compassion. We are a community shaped by the pursuit of truth and goodness, providing outstanding preparation for life. At St. Michaels University School, we seek to employ and empower individuals who wish to forge impactful relationships and careers that place our students at the centre. We firmly believe that expanding our diversity while adjusting our practice will lead to becoming the community we envision – a place where staff and students share a sense that they fully belong.

 The Position:

As the school builds broader and deeper relationships with local Indigenous communities, the Indigenous Liaison works closely with our First Nations Guide and other leaders within the traditional communities on Vancouver Island to ensure that we maintain our long-term focus on building enduring, authentic connections. The Indigenous Liaison will need to be willing to build on the work done to date: the protocols in place, the programs in place, and utilizing the advisors in place.

British Columbia is home to more distinct Indigenous communities than any other part of Canada. We live within Salish territory, a people who have been described as the most conservative group on the coast in terms of the maintenance of communal values and institutions. Familiarity and respect for local, traditional values is a key component of the role.

Responsibilities and Expectations reflect the Ten Strand approach being undertaken by our community.

The successful candidate will have the following skills, background and interest:

Proven ability to initiate, nurture, and navigate cross-cultural relationships both at an interpersonal and institutional level.
Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous norms and protocols.
Willingness to act on the guidance of local, traditional Elders whenever possible.
Ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals as well as with external partners in the community.
Experience working in or with Kindergarten – Grade 12 institutions.
Willingness to travel to local communities.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, negotiation and mediation skills.
Ability to maintain poise and professionalism in a variety of situations.
High level of attention to detail as well as the capacity to be a proactive and analytical problem solver.
Organized with the ability to work under deadlines with conflicting demands from various departments.
Ability to be tactful, demonstrate excellent judgment, and work as a positive and collaborative team member.
Enthusiastic, energetic, a self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Ability to conduct research, prepare and present workshops and reports.
Ability to create, analyze and edit a wide variety of documents.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel).
Related, formal education and/or training (certificate/undergraduate/graduate degree). A combination of academic and/or non-academic qualifications and experience will be considered.
Responsibilities include:

Expand network of Elders while forging ties to local, political leaders from Indigenous communities.
Play a proactive role in facilitating, expanding, and deepening connections between school programs and local Indigenous partners and communities; coordinate connections between students/staff and Indigenous knowledge keepers and their communities.
Advocate and educate regarding the impact of Indigenous perspectives on policies and procedures within the school community.
Host and support Indigenous visitors to our campuses.
Develop a plan to effectively support Indigenous students; ensure that Personal and University Counselling Departments receive role-specific cultural training and that the school has access to an external Indigenous counsellor.
Guide annual recruitment for the Indigenous Scholar program and act as the key support, especially with respect to navigating the school, scheduling activities, and facilitating major projects.
Organize and support events connected to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Assist in reaching out to potential Indigenous staff according to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion goals and practices.
Oversee staff participation in the Indigenous Cultural Literacy course and review its content as required; develop further educational offerings in response to staff interest.
Ensure the continuation of protocol around the Spindle Whorls, along with commissioning additional pieces of cultural significance.
Consult with other schools and thought-leaders to solicit external expertise.
Oversee program budgets.
Other duties as required. 
Criminal Record Check:

Must pass and maintain a clear Solicitor General criminal record check for the purpose of working with children.

Application Details and Other Considerations:

Please list additional experience working within a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 environment.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to supply a letter of support or documentation regarding connections to Indigenous communities, knowledge, and traditions. Connection to Indigenous communities on Vancouver Island preferred.

As experiences and qualifications look different for everyone, we encourage you to apply if the description of this position is of interest to you.

To review our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator vacancy, please follow this link: https://careers.risepeople.com/SMUS/en/6727_equity,-diversity-and-inclusion-coordinator

Please respond with a cover letter and resume in a single document by 2pm Thursday, April 6, 2023.