Commissioner of Cree Language

Job Description

Department: Social and Cultural Development
Status: 5 year Appointment
Salary Grade 6: (Min. $68,513.00 – Max. $102,769.00)
Location: TBD – Cree Community

Core Functions:

The Commissioner of the Cree Language will lead the development and implementation of a coordinated, regional Cree language revitalization and maintenance plan involving all of the principal governments and entities in Eeyou Istchee. The Commissioner will be appointed for a term not exceeding five years, to be renewed at the discretion of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Cree Language is mandated by “Bill 1: An Act Respecting the Cree Language of Eeyou Istchee,” and is expected to be autonomous and free from undue political or administrative influence. The Commissioner will regularly communicate with local and regional political leadership and senior administration, as well as the leadership of the regional entities.

The Commissioner will be a tireless and high-profile vocal advocate on behalf of the Cree language. As such, the Commissioner will be responsible for raising the profile and visibility of the Cree language in Eeyou Istchee and will build a broad-base of support among the general public, political leadership, and senior administration for the establishment of robust and sustainable long-term language initiatives aimed at preserving, promoting, and developing the Cree language in Eeyou Istchee.

The Commissioner will be responsible for leading the development of the Cree Nation Government’s language policies, programs, and plans, and will work to encourage cooperation and coordination among regional entities, including the Cree School Board, Cree Health Board, and Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute.

Functional Responsibilities:

• Lead the initiative to ensure the survival of the Cree language in Eeyou Istchee.
• Develop and implement a strategic action plan including policies, guidelines, and priorities for a coordinated regional language promotion, revitalization and maintenance plan.
• Plan, oversee, and/or coordinate the design, marketing, promotion and delivery of quality services, programs and activities to promote, preserve, maintain, and develop the Cree language in all aspects of life in Eeyou Istchee.
• Encourage and coordinate collaboration between regional entities to deliver Cree language services, programs, and activities.

• Implement “Bill 1: An Act Respecting the Cree Language of Eeyou Istchee,” including overseeing the collection, development and implementation of Cree Language Plans.
• Establish a Cree Language Network in Eeyou Istchee, including both staff and resource centres, to build a long-lasting infrastructure to deliver quality services, programs and activities.
• Provide strategic advice to regional and local political leadership, senior administration and regional stakeholders in all matters pertaining to Cree language.

Analytical/Reporting Responsibilities:

• Conduct periodic reviews of the state of the Cree language and compile data and statistics pertaining to its use, vitality and trajectory.
• Conduct periodic reviews of the effectiveness of Cree language initiatives and compile data and statistics pertaining to costs, participation, and overall impact on Cree language use and fluency rates.
• Oversee and/or coordinate the maintenance of research repositories to house Cree language data.
• Conduct a review of the state of funding for Cree language initiatives in Eeyou Istchee and make recommendations to political leadership and senior administration on language-related funding needs.
• Conduct a review of strategic barriers to the use of the Cree language in the workplace and make recommendations to political leadership and senior administration on measures to increase the use of Cree in the workplace.
• Conduct periodic reviews, assessments and consultations to ensure the Commissioner’s mandate and strategic goals remain aligned with the needs of the general public in Eeyou Istchee.

Interaction/Communication Responsibilities:

• Establish and coordinate innovative marketing and communications strategies to promote the use of the Cree language and the Cree language initiatives.
• Liaise with regional entities, businesses, community governments, and Cree Nation Government departments to develop, implement, and improve Cree language programs and policies.
• Liaise with media and other organizations to publicize Cree language programming and initiatives.
• Liaise with other Cree-speaking communities and entities in Quebec and Canada to build greater co-operation around language maintenance and promotion.
• Liaise with provincial and federal governments in order to establish and fund language initiatives aimed at preserving, promoting, and developing the Cree language in Eeyou Istchee.

Financial Responsibilities:

• Establish a business plan and budget for each fiscal year, in collaboration with the Department of Social and Cultural Development.

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills in area(s) of responsibility.
• Perform other duties as requested

Education

• Certificate in Cree Literacy or in Indigenous Language and Literacy or in fields pertinent to languages.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field would be an asset.

Experience

• 5 to 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in political leadership or senior administration for a Cree government or entity.
• Recognition and respect at the regional level with experience communicating to the general public, political leadership, and senior administration.
• Experience in decision-making at a senior level related to sensitive and complex issues.
• Proven expertise in the interpretation and application of legislation, regulations and policies.
• Experience in project management.

Language:

• Above average fluency in spoken Cree
• Cree literacy is an asset
• Fluency in English
• Fluency in French is an asset

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strategic thinker and ability to translate strategy to action.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Good judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well both independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated interest in Cree language preservation and promotion.

Additional Requirements:

• Typical office setting where there are no unusual physical demands.
• Willingness to travel frequently.

The Cree Nation Government may, at its discretion, waive any or all of the aforementioned requirements if a suitable candidate who is a JBNQA beneficiary accepts to follow a training plan determined by the Cree Nation Government as a condition of employment.

Application Period

From January 15, 2020 to January 31, 2020

Application

Your application must be sent by email with the competition number: SCD-200102-1

Valerie Mianscum

Recruitment Officer

Email: hr@cngov.ca

Tel.: 819-673-2600