Oshkwazin Summer Trailblazers

Oshkwazin Summer Trailblazers


Download the posting here: 2022 Oshkwazin Summer Trailblazers_Posting.pdf

Title: Oshkwazin Summer Trailblazer (formerly known as Oshkwazin Summer Ambassadors)

Program: TRACKS Oshkwazin Indigenous Leadership

Work term: 15 hours/week for 8 weeks in July and August

Wage: $15.25/hour

Reporting to: Oshkwazin Youth Supervisor

Number of positions: 6

Part One | Program Description

TRACKS (TRent Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Science) facilitates dynamic, land-based youth programming that braids multiple scientific approaches by centring Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

TRACKS is an educational program based on Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg territory. We are hosted by Trent University within the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences Program (IESS) and operate in partnership with founding partner organization Kawartha World Issues Centre and the First Peoples House of Learning. We deliver both free programming with First Nations and urban Indigenous community partners as well as a series of fee-for-service camps and workshops for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. TRACKS consists of two distinct and connected programs: Education and Oshkwazin Indigenous Youth Leadership.

IMPORTANT: This posting is for the TRACKS Oshkwazin Indigenous Leadership program. Before applying, please review our website to understand the mandate of Oshkwazin.  

TRACKS Oshkwazin Summer Trailblazers should identify as Indigenous and be between 14 and 18 years of age. A main component of this position is to experience Indigenous youth leadership building opportunities with a small group of other Indigenous youth (up to six) and the Oshkwazin Youth Supervisor. The Oshkwazin Youth Trailblazers will coordinate and help lead 4 on-the-land learning days in August, where they will have the opportunity to put their leadership skills and Traditional Ecological Knowledge into practice. If COVID-19 measures allow, a small group of outside youth will be invited to participate; if not, the Trailblazers will be the only participants.  These positions are responsible for helping to develop the Oshkwazin program, by contributing their ideas for what sorts of programming Oshkwazin can do in the future. This is one of the ways that Oshkwazin ensures youth input in its programming.

Part Two | COVID-19 Update and Conditions

Due to COVID-19 and TRACKS Youth Program continues to align with the guidelines of Trent University and Peterborough Public Health when it comes to our operations. Although some programming, office hours and staff training will take place online (video calls, e-mails, etc.), the majority will take place in person. A main component of this position is to develop educational programming to be delivered in schools, extra-curricular programs and homes that encourages youth to get outside and engage in hands-on activities while following COVID-19 safety measures. Hiring timeline, work term and contract responsibilities are subject to change with appropriate notice based on guidance from Peterborough Public Health and Trent University.

Part Three | Position Details

Key Responsibilities:

  • Participate in mandatory staff training upon hiring
  • Maintain regular work hours and be in regular communication with the Oshkwazin Summer Youth Supervisor and Oshkwazin Director
  • Develop and maintain a learning portfolio to be shared at the end of the Summer
  • Participate in training and workshops relating to the Oshkwazin Youth Trailblazers curriculum
  • Responsible for planning and facilitating one of the 4 land camps
  • Participate in Anishinaabemowin learning – if you have knowledge of the language, you will be able to expand your vocabulary/understanding and if you have no knowledge, you will learn some basic words/phrases and concepts
  • Participate in brainstorm sessions relating to Oshkwazin program development
  • Participate in the design of leadership program curriculum including researching, developing, and testing activities
  • Contribute to the future of the program by participating in evaluation, providing feedback and sharing perspective on a regular basis
  • Assist Education staff with ongoing development of workshops and Summer programs, when needed
  • Assist the Communications and Social Media staff with online content
  • Other duties as assigned by the Oshkwazin Summer Youth Supervisor and the Oshkwazin Director

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Must be interested in Indigenous cultural knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
  • Prior experience is not necessary, an interest in learning is much more important!
  • Basic computer skills such as word processing and email communication
  • Ability to take direction and feedback
  • Willingness to collaborate with others and work with a team as necessary
  • Reliable and respectful communication towards coworkers and supervisors and program participants
  • Excellent people skills and a friendly attitude
  • Experience with conflict resolution

Other Qualifications and Assets:

  • Experience working or volunteering with summer camps and/or youth programs 
  • Traditional Ecological Knowledge that pertains to beading, quillwork, weaving, hunting, fishing, harvesting, plant identification, dancing etc., are highly valued
  • All candidates must provide references
  • First Aid Training
  • Mental Health First Aid

Part Four | TRACKS Hiring Policies

TRACKS strives for equity in its hiring and specifically welcomes applications from all qualified candidates including those experiencing marginalization, including women, people with disabilities, people of colour, Indigenous people (including First Nation, Metis, Inuit and non-status), those identifying as Two-Spirit or LGBTQIA+, parents and caregivers, and those dealing with adversity in their lives. We commit to making reasonable accommodations for those needing additional support, as much as possible within the expectations and requirements of this position.

IMPORTANT: Due to the funding structure of TRACKS Oshkwazin, and the goal of the program being to nurture Indigenous leaders, only Indigenous applicants will be considered for these positions.

Why work for TRACKS?

TRACKS places high priority on providing training and professional development opportunities for all employees. By working with TRACKS, you can expect to grow your resume and build competencies which are valuable to future employers. These competencies include:

  • Building relationships with Indigenous youth, Elders, Knowledge Holders and communities
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Innovation and creativity in relation to program development
  • Collaboration
  • Independent work ethic
  • Effective communication
  • Other interpersonal, intrapersonal and cognitive skills such as active listening, self-evaluation, adaptive learning, conflict resolution and more

You will also have the opportunity to be involved in various types of training and have the freedom to pursue your individual interests related to Indigenous Ways of Knowing. This position will also allow you to access resources available through Trent University.

Part Five | Application and Submission

Application:

Please visit the following webpage to fill out our application: click here

As part of this online application, applicants must submit:

  • Answers to the following questions (your answers can be in point form and can include pictures or videos;  the word counts are suggestions):
    • Please introduce yourself, in whatever way feels most comfortable to you. tell us about yourself (What communities do you come from? Where did you grow up? Do you have siblings/cousins? What are your interests/hobbies? What are your passionate about? Who do you learn from?) – max. 200 words.
    • Please describe why Indigenous leadership is important? In other words, what interests you about this position? – max. 350 words.
    • Please share how you connect with the land (What activities do you do on the land or water? Do you hunt, harvest, or garden? Do you enjoy laying in the grass and listening to the birds? What animals, tree, plants, etc do you like?) – max. 200 words.
  • A resume (include all volunteering experience, extracurriculars, ceremonies, harvesting/hunting, land camps, etc.)
  • A letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, peer worker or mentor
    • Approx. one page
    • Must include contact information

IMPORTANT: If you need assistance filling out the online application, please reach out to Maggie Cummings, Oshkwazin Director, to help.

Submission:

Applications will be accepted until May 27th, 2022 at 11:59pm. Please submit the above on our website at the following link: https://www.tracksprogram.ca/oshkwazin-summer-trailblazers

Direct any questions regarding the application process to Maggie Cummings, Oshkwazin Director, at oshkwazin@tracksprogram.ca.