Exhibit Developer/Researcher

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 Exhibit Researcher/Developer will work with the Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre curatorial staff to research and to write content for the planned exhibits. Working with the team, the Researcher/Developer will research and identify significant cultural resources that reflect the planned exhibit design. They will perform written, photographic, artifactual and oral historical research. The Researcher/Developer will visit community members as well as archival and curatorial locations to compile and to document relevant information. The Researcher/Developer will work with the curatorial team to enter and to develop relevant data into the MDCC content management system. The Researcher/Developer will receive support and guidance from the curatorial team about content requirements and potential resources. They will work closely with the Resource Manager to compile and to manage the information for exhibit content development.

Overview of Responsibilities:

• Identify, research, and describe significant cultural resources including oral historical, graphic, artifactual and other belongings of the Nation.
• Documentary, photographic, artifactual, and oral historical research.
• Compiling, recording, and summarizing research findings.
• Writing exhibit text that is accessible and easy for visitors to comprehend.
• Digitizing documentary and photographic collections in accordance with MDCC standards.
• Growing curatorial records to support the development of exhibits.
• Data entry and creation of records in the MDCC content management system.
• Visiting community members to record oral history and knowledge and digitizing content.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in history, Canadian Studies, anthropology, or related field, or a combination of work and knowledge equivalence.
• Minimum one-year experience working in a cultural or community research or community educational outreach environment.
• Skilled writer; experience writing exhibit or interpretive text.
• Excellent attention to detail and well-developed research strategies.
• Demonstrated interest in cultural heritage, museum curation, digital collections, and community engagement.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word and familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize and initiate work without direction.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team member.
• Dedicated, organized, and meticulous.
• Knowledge of and experience working with Mi'kmaw Elders and other community experts.
• 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 & Dental, and Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• Generous amounts of paid time off (Paid Statutory Holidays plus St. Anne's Day and Aboriginal Day, 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.

If you would like to join The CMM Family, please see below on how to apply for this position.

Salary/Employment Term: Expected annual salary: $50,000.00 per year. This is a one-year contract position.

Application Deadline: Open until position is filled

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: [email protected]

We are an equal opportunity employer; however, qualified Indigenous 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 along 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.