Indigenous Cultural and Events Coordinator

The Role

• Support the coordination and logistics of cultural and spiritual programming within Natoysopoyiis and SAIT, including ceremonies, knowledge-sharing sessions, traditional arts and crafts, language sessions, and other culturally significant events (Indigenous Graduation Celebration and Annual Pow Wow).
• Engage and collaborate with a diverse range of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors to ensure programming reflects the diverse teachings, languages, and traditions of the Treaty 7 Nations and Métis Nation.
• Organize and promote Indigenous cultural sessions for students and SAIT that enhances access to cultural supports, teachings, and community connection.
• Provide support to students seeking access to cultural and spiritual supports by ensuring they are connected with the appropriate Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or cultural facilitators, and by ensuring a welcoming, safe, and culturally grounded environment.
• Ensure that all events and programming adhere to cultural protocols, respect the teachings shared, and provide a safe and welcoming space for Indigenous students and SAIT community members.
• Collaborate with SAIT departments, Student Services, and external Indigenous community organizations to support integrated, culturally appropriate programming and ensure seamless connections for students seeking support.
• The coordinator will play an important role in fostering an environment where Indigenous students and SAIT community can engage with their culture, languages, and traditions in meaningful and respectful ways. By supporting Elders and Knowledge Keepers to share their teachings, this position contributes to the broader goal of increasing cultural awareness, understanding, and reconciliation within the SAIT community.

Qualifications

• Degree /Diploma in social sciences, education, social work, humanities, or a related field, with a minimum of three years’ experience working with Indigenous peoples, ideally in an educational setting. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Strong understanding of, and positive relationship with, Indigenous cultures, communities, and histories, particularly those of Treaty 7 Nations and the Métis Nation.
• Knowledge of the unique needs and experiences of Indigenous students in post-secondary environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build respectful relationships with Indigenous students, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with cultural humility and respect.
• Experience working in an Indigenous organization or community-driven environment is considered an asset.
• Ability to facilitate the KAIROS Blanket Exercise is considered an asset.
• High level of professionalism, transparency, and confidentiality when working with students, Elders, community members, staff, and faculty.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, including maintaining open, respectful communication and fostering a positive team environment.
• Flexibility, patience, empathy, versatility, and adaptability when supporting students and programming needs.
• Crisis management skills are considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort with administrative systems.
• Ability to meet deadlines while demonstrating a strong commitment to task completion and follow-through.
In addition, the incumbent will be knowledgeable in the following:
• Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multicultural Act
• SAIT Policy and Procedure AC 2.15.1 Indigenous Student Success Guide
• SAIT collective agreements
• SAIT policies and procedures

Duties and Responsibilities

• Cultural and Spiritual Programming Support
• Coordinate logistics for cultural and spiritual programming at SAIT including booking spaces, arranging supplies, and providing event support.
• Organize and promote Indigenous cultural sessions for students, ensuring consistency, relevance, and alignment with student needs and interests.
• Support the planning and coordination of traditional ceremonies, Indigenous Graduation Celebration, Pow Wow, language and sharing sessions in collaboration with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors.
• Ensure diverse programming is offered that reflects the teachings, languages, and cultural practices of Treaty 7 Nations and the Métis Nation of Alberta.
• Relationship Building and Community Engagement
• Act as a liaison between Natoysopoyiis, SAIT, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors, ensuring respectful communication and appropriate support is provided.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and cultural practitioners.
• Ensure Elders and Knowledge Keepers are welcomed, respected, and supported when visiting or offering teachings at SAIT.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal partners including Corporate Services, Communications, Marketing and various other internal departments at SAIT.
• Protocol and Cultural Safety Stewardship
• Ensure all cultural and spiritual programming follows appropriate Indigenous protocols and cultural practices.
• Support the respectful use and care of sacred spaces, ceremonial items, and cultural tools within Natoysopoyiis and SAIT events.
• Educate and guide students and staff on appropriate cultural protocols, in consultation with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Program Coordination and Administration
• Coordinate schedules, bookings, and logistics to support Indigenous students' access to cultural and spiritual programming, ensuring events are welcoming, student-centered, and culturally safe.
• Promote programming and events using culturally appropriate, student-focused communication methods, ensuring Indigenous students are aware of and feel invited to participate in all offerings.
• Monitor student participation and gather feedback from students, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to ensure programming continues to meet the needs, interests, and cultural expectations of Indigenous students.
• Work alongside Natoysopoyiis team members and Student Services to create meaningful opportunities for cultural connection, ensuring that programming reflects the diverse teachings and practices important to Indigenous students.
• Institutional Events and Committees Participation
• Serve as a key contributor to institutional committees and working groups supporting Indigenous events and initiatives, including but not limited to:
• Indigenous Student Orientation
• Indigenous Graduation Celebration
• Annual Powwow
• SAIT Truth and Reconciliation Event Series
• Indigenous Engagement Advisory Council
• Provide guidance and support to these events by connecting Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural facilitators, ensuring cultural protocols are honored and respected.
• Support SAIT’s broader commitments to Truth and Reconciliation by offering culturally grounded input into institutional events, awareness campaigns, and programming initiatives.
Administration
• Respond to inquiries from students regarding cultural programming and events.
• Track participation and engagement in cultural and spiritual programming and support the collection of feedback to assess program effectiveness and inform future planning.
• Collaborate with other team members in Natoysopoyiis to support broader initiatives related to Indigenous student recruitment, retention, and success.
• Assist with day-to-day administrative tasks to ensure the smooth operation of cultural programming and Indigenous student supports.
Financial Reporting Responsibilities
• Reconcile expense transactions in line with SAIT Policy when the purchase card is used for programming, supplies, and ceremonial needs.
• Ensure all expenditures are documented and reported in accordance with SAIT’s financial policies and procedures.
• Operate within an assigned budget for cultural activities, ceremonies, and events, ensuring responsible use of resources while maintaining program integrity.
• Arrange honorariums for cultural and spiritual programming.
Cultural Considerations and Additional Requirements
• This role requires a deep understanding of, and commitment to, Indigenous cultural safety, community protocols, and the diverse teachings and practices across Treaty 7 Nations and the Métis Nation.
• The coordinator will recognize and honor that Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Cultural Advisors are the rightful holders and sharers of Indigenous knowledge and will not take on the role of a ceremonial leader.
• The successful candidate must demonstrate humility, respect, and cultural awareness in all aspects of their work, ensuring that all programming is led by individuals who have been gifted the right to share teachings and ceremonies.
• This position is designated for an Indigenous person (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), in alignment with SAIT’s commitment to Indigenous hiring, representation, and community leadership.