Musqueam - Rights Recognition Assistant

About Musqueam

We are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. We live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. The name Musqueam relates back to the River Plant, the name of the plant is məθkʷəy̓. There is a story that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) - People of the River Plant. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws. To learn more about Musqueam, please visit www.musqueam.bc.ca 

The position requires an administrative, clerical, and logistical skill set and the ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with Musqueam administration, consultants, and community. The basis of this position is to provide administrative support necessary for effective “framework” and “self-government” negotiations with the federal government, and for effective communication and engagement with Musqueam community of negotiated arrangements. The result of these processes will be new arrangements with Canada for Musqueam to be self-determining and self-governing based on traditional Musqueam values and teachings.

The Assistant will report to and receive instruction from Musqueam’s Rights Recognition Coordinators (Self-Government Coordinator; Framework Coordinator; Ratification Coordinator). Acting under the direction of the Rights Recognition Coordinators, the Assistant will provide key administrative, clerical, and logistical functions supporting Musqueam negotiations with the federal government.

Duties: 

• Be responsible for scheduling meetings and managing Outlook calendar invitations as requested by Coordinator (including reviewing calendars, interacting with internal and external parties to confirm availability, sending invitations, appending documents).
• Create materials for meetings, proposals, reports, and communications (including preparing cover pages, collating, formatting, printing, sending).
• Arrange logistics for meetings (venues, equipment, A/V, catering, set-up, clean-up, etc)
• Provide administrative support for meetings (including planning assistance, attending meetings, taking notes and minutes, or other tasks).
• Arrange travel and accommodation (itineraries, accommodations, booking, supplies, etc).
• Assisting with maintenance of filing and digital filing systems.
• Providing general office and administrative assistance and anticipating Coordinator needs.
• Developing a working knowledge and understanding of the federal-Musqueam relationship.

Job Knowledge:  

The work requires the following knowledge, skill and/or abilities:

• Skill and knowledge usually attained by successful completion of some post-secondary education in areas like office administration, communication, or other relevant fields, combined with experience working with First Nations or similar administrative office; or an equivalent combination of skill, knowledge, and experience.
• Ability to interact with staff (at all levels) in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of leadership, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Strong organizational skills and a proven ability to prioritize and manage tasks within many areas, problem solve, and follow through on issues in a timely manner. Must be able to work under tight deadlines.
• Computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Acrobat, document imaging/scanning hardware and software, and experience creating electronic copies of documents.
• Strong writing and analytical skills an asset
• Ability to take minutes, type minimum 60 wpm.
• Cultural competency and knowledge of Musqueam and First Nations history, cultural traditions, and aboriginal rights preferred.  

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office environment.
• Successful Criminal Record Check
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License