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Indian Residential School Project Researcher

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:

Under the supervision of the Indian Residential School (IRS) Project Manager/Senior Researcher, the 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 research related to government and privately held 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, and funeral home records.

The IRS Project Researcher is responsible for being the first point of contact when providing assistance 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 Researcher will also provide event planning assistance to the Project Manager and may accompany them when presenting at national and international residential school conferences and events.  They may also provide assistance to the Project Manager in the development and maintenance of a database system.

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
  • 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
  • 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, Archival Studies, or another related Humanity or Social Science degree
  • Minimum of three years’ experience as a historical researcher or archivist who is familiar with First Nations research methods and an understanding of First Nations people and communities
  • A combination of education and experience will be considered
  • Demonstrated analytical skills including the ability to read historical evidence closely and critically and to synthesize material from a broad range of sources
  • Familiarity with government, church, and other related records, and a comprehensive understanding of archival research methodologies, systems and online tools such as ancestry.ca
  • Familiarity with First Nations history and federal Indian policy
  • Understanding of effects of colonization, in relation to the impacts of residential and day schools
  • Excellent written, and verbal communication skills marked by professionalism and teamwork
  • 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
  • Handles information in a sensitive way that demonstrates and promotes discretion and trustworthiness
  • Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines
  • Demonstrated experience with TRC/NCTR archives would be considered an asset

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: Monday, November 4th, 2024, at 4:00 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 complete.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected will be contacted for further consideration.

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