Position Summary:
Reporting to the Guardians Manager, the ʔAkisq̓nuk Guardians are to watch over, nurture and bring healing to the lands, waters and cultural places that are the foundation of Ktunaxa life. By carrying out this sacred responsibility, Guardians advance cultural revitalization, environmental stewardship, self-determination, and community well-being.
Guardians are the boots on-the-ground responsible to uphold ʔaknumuȼtiⱡiⱡ (Ktunaxa law) and a good relationship with ʔa·kxam̓is q̓api qapsin (all living things), in addition to the assertion and protection of ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation (AFN) Rights and Title throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa. The AFN Guardian team maintains a presence throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa; safeguards cultural knowledge, cultural conservation values and heritage sites; walks alongside Elders and members to offer community support; collects and compiles environmental, resource and land use data; observes, records and reports possible violations of AFN stewardship policies and provincial and federal regulations; and empowers children and youth (Guardians in training). Recognizing the central importance of Ktunaxa knowledge to sound natural and cultural resource management, AFN Guardians also hold a prominent role in implementing land-based cultural revitalization initiatives.
The work of the AFN Guardians supports all AFN Lands & Resources Department programs. While watching over the land, this position participates in terrestrial, aquatics, forestry and archaeological fieldwork within ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa. The position requires a willingness to undertake physical work at times, hike through forests, in wetlands, over rough and at times steep terrain. The position conducts logistical planning for fieldwork which includes consideration of general safety precautions and the ability to make updates to plans working in the field. Work in the field includes, but not limited to observing, collecting, and accurately recording forest, wildlife, vegetation, habitat, and archaeology data using field notebooks or a tablet. The desire to learn from Elders and record customary laws and governance approaches to develop capacity within the Nation is a must.
As a whole, the AFN Guardians are responsible for a wide range of duties. It is expected that each AFN Guardian will have various expertise, areas of interest and competencies in several, but not necessarily all, of the duties and areas of responsibility.
ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation (ʔAFN) is a member Community of the Ktunaxa Nation. ʔAFN exists for the Community. Externally, we are here to serve the Community, and internally, we are our own Community, comprised of different departments unified by our Vision, Mission, and Values. As a team, through our own roles and departments, the ʔAFN Organization works together to achieve our strategic plan “Our Thinking” and continue to progress and move our community forward.
Major Position Responsibilities:
Guardians are stewards who keep Ktunaxa knowledge alive. They observe, record and report on the health of ecosystems and cultural sites, and share their knowledge or concerns with communities, visitors, stakeholders and partners.
Maintain a presence throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa on behalf of ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation
- q̓api qapsin kin ʔitkin hin ʔisti Ktunaxa (Everything you do, you do for Ktunaxa). This central teaching guides the Guardians’ purpose; to serve the Ktunaxa people, lands, and future generations.
- Establish relationships with Elders, Knowledge Holders and members to support community and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
- Conduct patrols throughout ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa monitor and report land use activities and possible violations of AFN land laws as well as federal/provincial regulations.
- Care for cultural sites, such as removing litter and making offerings.
- Educate children and youth to foster interest and awareness in land and water stewardship.
- Respond to community reports concerning illegal or suspicious environmental activities in AFN territory (i.e., wildlife concerns, illegal dumping, fishing out of season, etc.).
- Respond professionally to observed violations in an appropriate manner by approaching resource users and documenting and reporting relevant information.
- Create presence through public awareness, visitor engagement, and microlearning opportunities while interacting with resource users, including recreational and commercial hunters, fishers, trappers, and plant harvesters to raise awareness of the need to protect AFN land.
Monitor cultural and environmental values through stewardship and knowledge integration
- Draw on land-based knowledge and cultural conservation values to monitor indicators of ʔa·kxam̓is q̓api qapsin (all living things), and the impacts of resource activities on these values through the Ktunaxa lens.
- Apply Ktunaxa knowledge systems to observe, collect, record forest, wildlife, vegetation, habitat and archaeology data using field notebooks and/or tablets, using Western science selectively where it supports Ktunaxa objectives.
- Work alongside Elders on-the-land to document important sites, stories, species and resources to inform monitoring and restoration initiatives.
- Conduct fieldwork and surveys with technical specialists. Access to sites may include hiking through cut blocks, UTV, paddling a canoe or riding in a motorized boat.
- Share results of monitoring efforts to appropriate AFN Lands & Resources Department staff in a timely manner.
- Ensure all data is entered into the Lands database and data is kept secur
- Maintain field equipment supplied by AFN.
- Provide technical support to internal and external project teams as requested, including field surveys, restoration, reclamation activities, and reporting.
Conduct community outreach and cultural education
- Assist in the delivery of community cultural education events, including culture camps, on-the-land hunting and harvesting activities with staff, youth and Elders, in-community and on-the-land cultural workshops and teaching sessions, including virtual and/or recorded lessons and workshops, may collaborate with other departments such as Health to coordinate these activities as part of community healing.
- Represent the AFN Land Guardian program at internal and external community events and outreach initiatives, informing members about AFN land stewardship issues and Land Guardian activities.
- Support AFN Lands Department communications by submitting information for community newsletters and contributing photos or videos for social media posts.
- Serve as a mentor for youth interns and summer students.
Liaise with provincial and federal enforcement agency staff
- Build and maintain productive relationships with federal and provincial agency staff, including the Natural Resources Sector, Conservation Officers, Natural Resources Officers, Peace Officers, RCMP etc.
- Conduct joint compliance and oversight monitoring with relevant enforcement agencies when needed.
- Engage in environmental and emergency management services with relevant agencies when needed.
- Attend joint training, technical and roundtable sessions with relevant agencies when available.
Commit to lifelong learning
- Commit to lifelong learning, grounded in Ktunaxa cultural ways and centered in a cycle of ʔa·kⱡi·ȼatiyam (dream), ʔupxniⱡik (discover), ta•kin (master) and ksukiⱡqukamaⱡnam (celebrate).
- Complete at a minimum of 35 hours/year of focused, guided cultural learning and a minimum 25 hours of certified or non-certified technical training/year following the completion of phase 1 training.
- Share areas of strength and interest, while participating in individual training plans to build technical and professional capacity
- Participate in and/or teach Ktunaxa language classes as part of their professional development and community service.
Health, Safety, and Conduct
- Adhere to all field safety protocols and site access requirements.
- Willingness to complete and adhere to required safety training and mitigation measures (eg. wear personal protective equipment).
- Maintain confidentiality, respect, and professionalism while representing the Nation.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Diploma or certificate in environmental science, land guardian program, Indigenous land stewardship, natural resource management, or a related field.
- Equivalent experience or a combination of education and knowledge of Ktunaxa traditional values and responsibilities will be considered.
- Experience learned through land-based practice, family teachings or stewardship roles
- Additional training or coursework in environmental monitoring, cultural heritage protection, or ecosystem management is an asset.
- Knowledge of environmental effects of resource activities, mitigation measures, and ability to recognize culturally significant species, seasonal patterns and signs of change.
- Willingness to stop work, escalate concerns and seek guidance utilizing good judgement grounded in cultural teachings.
- Proficiency in entry-level computer applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), internet browsers, and/or ArcGIS, however training support can be provided.
- Valid driver’s license required
- Ability to work collaboratively with leadership, community members, and external partners.
- A collaborative spirit and proactive approach to problem-solving, negotiation, and strategic thinking.
New Guardians who meet base qualifications, but have gaps in education will be supported through an internally developed training program that places emphasis on the following skills areas: cultural knowledge and conservation values, field safety, environmental data collection and reporting, geospatial, habitat enhancement and restoration, enforcement ethics, emergency response/public safety, water safety, swift water awareness and rescue, human wildlife conflicts.
The position is physically demanding and will include travel in extreme whether on ATV, helicopter, or boat, hiking long distances on the territory, and moving and/or packing heavy field equipment to remote sites. Applicants must be in good physical health to carry out the job effectively without injury, however Guardian roles will be developed for different interests, skills and physical capability levels, in addition to roles developed for Elders and knowledge holders.
NOTE: A criminal check will be conducted on the successful applicant
What we offer:
- Starting salary between $45,000 to $50,000, depending on education and experience
- Discretionary office closure between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as determined by the Council each year
- Paid annual vacation and sick days
- Employer-paid Group Benefits which includes Life Insurance, Health and Dental benefits, health spending account, Employee Assistance Program, Disability coverage, available after 3 months of service
- Matched pension plan with employer matching up to 5.5% of the employee’s salary, available after 4 months of service
- Live and work in the most beautiful place in British Columbia
ʔakisq̓nuk First Nation is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals. In accordance with our commitment to reconciliation and employment equity, preference may be given to qualified candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit. We encourage Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their application.
