Coordinator of Collections & Exhibits

Job Description

AANISCHAAUKAMIKW (CREE CULTURAL INSTITUTE)

POSITION SPECIFICATION

Coordinator of Collections & Exhibits

 

REPORTS TO: Manager of Programs

 

SUPERVISES:

Technical / matrix supervision of Archival

Technician, Library Technician, Registrar and

Conservator

 

KEY COLLABORATIONS:

Collections & Exhibits staff

Coordinator, Facility Management

Cultural Coordinators of the Cree Nation

Cree School Board

Archeology Department

Educational Programming

 

Aanischaaukamikw is the cultural center for the nine Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee in

Northern Quebec. This major facility, designed by celebrated architect Douglas Cardinal, in

collaboration with Rubin and Rotman associates, is located in Ouje-Bougoumou, QC, a

community of 1000 persons. Aanischaaukamikw is a multi-purpose cultural entity, bringing

together regional cultural programming for the Cree Nation for all to share on-site and throughout

the communities. This 30,150 square foot building has a 3,000 square foot long term and temporary

exhibition spaces, visible storage, a documentation and resource center, a state-of-the-art

collection storage (including archeology) and workspace for some 40 employees, as well as for

the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association (COTA) and Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association

(CNACA).

 

Aanischaaukamikw finds its foundation in the concept of aanischaa which refers to a bridging or

continuity, to ensure that Cree traditions, knowledge and values are passed on from generation to

generation. Aanischaaukamikw is both a place of healing and a place in which to celebrate, protect

and enhance Cree language and culture. Working closely with the Cree Nation Government and

the nine communities, it supports local and cultural activities and further develop regional

programs.

 

Aanischaaukamikw as a regional Cree entity, works with the Cree Nation Government and with

the James Bay Cree Cultural Education Centre to consolidate existing cultural programs and

activities. With the involvement of Elders in all aspects of Cree culture, it supports healing and

traditional gatherings, promotes Cree artists, produces, collects archival historical materials for the

documentation center’s library and archives, and does research for the establishment of a Cree

Language Commission. In recent years, extensive research has been carried out on Eeyou Istchee

traditions relating to the land, especially place names, stories, and legends, historic sites and

archaeology. Aanischaaukamikw also provides technical support for the preservation and proper

management of historical and archeological documentation of the Cree Nation and develops new

programs in collaboration with the regional and local partners of the Cree Nation.

 

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Aanischaaukamikw is a charitable, not-for-profit institution that is governed by a 14-member

Board of Directors which is composed of nine Cultural Coordinators and two Elders, as well as

the President, Vice-President and Secretary. The annual operating budget is approximately $3

million dollars. The Coordinator of Collections & Exhibits reports to the Manager of Programs

and is a key member of the Collections & Exhibits department.

 

PROGRAMS

Aanischaaukamikw’s goal is to preserve and pass on Cree traditions to its growing communities

as a living museum/Cree cultural center. Our program provides a community network on-site and

through the Internet to learn about the Cree Culture. The contribution of the Elder’s knowledge

and wisdom is shared with younger generations using state-of-the-art and traditional means. This

includes oral history, exploration, and acquisition of artifacts of Cree traditional culture through

identification, preservation, research, permanent and traveling exhibitions, granting programs,

and professional

development.

 

Aanischaaukamikw does not only attract Crees, but other First Nations from Canada, and tourists

and visitors from across Canada and Europe. It is of interest to note that 93,000 tourists visited the

Baie James tourism region in 2016.

 

CONTEXT AND NEED

The Coordinator of Collections & Exhibits is a full-time position reporting directly to the Manager

of Programs. They supervise the Collections & Exhibits department at ACCI, which includes its

museum, library, and archival collections. They also work with curators and community members

to display the museum’s unique collection.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Coordinator of Collections & Exhibits manages the collection and the exhibits at ACCI and

participates in carrying out the museum’s administrative and operational duties. They perform

their work in close collaboration with the entire Collections & Exhibits department.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the safety, security and accessibility of the Historical Collection while maintaining current museum standards of collections management.
• Manage loans and acquisitions for the Collections & Exhibits department, including its museum, library, and archival collections.
• Direct and coordinate the delivery of collections-based services, such as conservation treatments and object and artifact movement within professional museum standards.
• Supervise the Collections & Exhibits team day-to-day work; hold regular meetings with them and review work plans.
• Comfortable working with Cree community members for preliminary research gathering.
• Oversee and participate in the training of the museum’s staff, such as the Archival Technician, Library Technician, Conservator, Registrar, Seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Develop and implement the Collections & Exhibits department’s strategic plan.
• Manage the budget and project for the Collections & Exhibits department.
• Continue ACCI’s work on decolonization, including the repatriation of objects and artifacts.
• Advocate for ACCI at a regional, national, and international level; foster connections and communications with entities, partners, and external organizations.
• Foster relationships with various clients groups, including teachers, group leaders, volunteer organizations, community partners, arts groups and business partners.
• Develop and update Collections & Exhibits department’s procedures and policies documents.
• Work with the Manager of Programs to create and deliver exhibition class content for local schools.
• Research, write, and edit proposals for funding and grant opportunities.
• Prepare annual review reports for his/her department for ACCI’s Board meetings.
• Work with the Community stakeholders to gather and conduct research on Cree Culture, write reports and facilitate workshops or presentations on collections management-related topics.
• Assist with internal and external research requests, as well as with public inquiries.
• Compile collections supply orders for the Collections & Exhibits department.
• Sit on the Acquisitions Committee and on the Loan Committee and are part of the Emergency Preparedness Planning Working Group (EPPWG).
• Assist with facility operations and public programs when needed.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to museology, cultural development, anthropology and or history. Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in a position responsible for managing collections & exhibits in a museum setting, ideally within a Cree entity.
• Experience using collections management databases.
• Experience composing texts in a variety of formats, including reports, correspondence, and exhibit text is considered an asset.

 

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of museum collections management, documentation, and preservation-related standards and procedures.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills to establish successful relationships both within ACCI and with external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Knowledge of scholarly research, including the use of primary sources.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support staff in a complex, service-delivery environment.
• Strong attention to details.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgement in complex situations.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems independently and creatively.
• Knowledge and experience with Cree entities and their culture-related programs is considered a major asset.
• Valid “Possession and acquisition” (PAL) license for firearms, or eligibility to get the license.

 

LANGUAGES

• Fluent in English, written and oral.
• Fluency in French and /or in Cree is an asset.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Start Date: As soon as possible.
• This position is on-site, 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday with the occasional evenings and weekends
• Salary: $55,000 – $65,000. Remuneration scales are under review.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required
• Eligible for Northern living allowances
• Assistance with housing for applicants from outside the community
• Competitive benefits package including paid vacation and a pension plan
• Holidays closure (two weeks)
• The selected candidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check.

 

The ACCI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Only candidates selected for an interview will be

contacted. Please send your cover letter and resume, as one document, by August 15, 2023 at

5pm to the following contact:

Kathy Shecapio

Executive Director

kshecapio@creeculture.ca