Indigenous Cultural Resource Intern

JOB DESCRIPTION
Parry Sound Forest School is a fast growing organization in the heart of Parry Sound, ON. We offer a variety of year-round programming options for many age groups and support children in becoming confident and capable with a sound sense of their abilities and interests. There is rising concern that children today spend less time playing and learning outdoors. For this reason, unstructured outdoor play, learning, and connecting them to nature are central to our work. We also see ourselves as working towards the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and strive to hold space for Indigenous perspectives and relationships with the land. This position is well suited to an individual who is interested in growing and sharing their traditional and land-based knowledge and would like to gain experience in Early Childhood Development or Teaching.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• sharing traditional Anishnabeg ways of being and knowing through story, song and the sharing of experiences.
• seek teachings and guidance to create opportunities for learning about and participating in Indigenous cultural practices in all programs
• language learning through workshops, webinars and self-directed learning to bring and embed in  programs (Michif, Anishinabemowin)
• local seasonal knowledge capacity building with on-the-land-time, workshops, webinars, and experiences to more deeply understand relationships and the importance of timing in offering Indigenous knowledge with land based experiences at Forest School
• build relationships and mentor colleagues
• presentations and sharing of knowledge with a Two-Eyed Seeing approach
• resource cultivation, creation and acquisition (cultural materials, natural resources, info sheets, bins, story stones)
• outreach to local First Nations and Métis communities
• participate and organize traditional celebrations
• work with local knowledge holders, potentially Jeff Eshkwakogan, Lisa Ross or other, to support inclusion of Indigenous perspectives and practices in our programs
• assist our educators with the delivery of forest school sessions to families with young children and children ages 3-12+ including: bushcraft (tool use, knots and ropes, fire making);
  • hiking;
  • risk management;
  • story telling;
  • maintenance of our cabin and equipment;
  • other duties as requested by the director.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate must love spending time with children and must be energetic, flexible, and eager to assist with the overall success of Parry Sound Forest School and must have:

• Completed High School;
• Are new entrants into the workforce, are transitioning to a new career, or the unemployed or underemployed who are entering a new field;
• Identify as an Indigenous person, including First Nation, Metis, or Inuit
• Have not previously participated in a NOHFC-funded internship;
• Willingness to being outside in all seasons;
• Self-directed learning skills;
• Interest in traditional teachings;
• Hold or be able to obtain a Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen;
• Hold or be willing to obtain training in first aid and childhood development through High Five;
• College or University training in Early Childhood Education, Education, Conservation, Indigenous Studies or other related fields is an asset, although not required.

HOURS: This is a full-time position with 35 hours per week.

WAGES: Negotiable. Commensurate with experience.

DURATION: 12 months beginning in Fall 2025, pending funding. A later start date is possible upon request. Opportunities for a longer contract to be discussed.

LOCATION: Forest School takes place primarily at Canadore College Campus in Parry Sound, ON, but there will be times our camps are at other locations, within a 20 minute drive of Parry Sound. but there may be some

APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 31, 2025

TO APPLY: Email the following documents as one PDF document to Diana Clements at director@psforestschool.com

(1) Updated cover letter detailing your fit for the position and interest in joining the Parry Sound Forest School team.

(2) Current resume including work experience, skills, education, and other points relevant to this job description.

Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

This opportunity is proudly supported by Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and is funded through the Indigenous Workforce Development Program. It is a requirement under this program that the selected candidate for this position self-identify as an Indigenous person. Eligibility requirements of the program can be found here:

https://nohfc.ca/en/pages/programs/people-talent-program/indigenous-workforce-development-stream