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A
Job to Love
A hug from a respected Elder says it
all—you’ve done good work.
For the last year, you have been working
with a community to improve its relationship
with your employer. The people wanted
to better understand company operations
and to understand how these operations
would affect their traditional lands.
They also wanted to explore educational
and employment opportunities with your
employer. After months of listening
to suggestions and concerns, you discovered
an opportunity for both the community
and your company. At the end of the
day, you've helped improve the situation
for everyone, and that's what being
an Aboriginal liaison is all about.
Aboriginal
liaisons help build constructive
relationships between Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal communities. Their
employers are usually interested in
improving relations with Aboriginal
communities. Most liaisons work in
offices, but travel is often required
for this job, so you’ll see much
of Canada and meet many new people.
Aboriginal liaisons are almost always
working with community members, co-workers,
staff, and students. They work independently
and in teams. Many Aboriginal liaisons
work on issues that affect natural
resources in their home communities.
There’s
a lot to be said for a job that lets
you travel and meet all sorts of people.
But the job of an Aboriginal liaison
can be very demanding. Sometimes you’ll
feel like your work isn’t helping
anyone—not your employer and
not the Aboriginal groups you work
with. Your work can be emotionally
exhausting and there will be high
expectations of you. Plus, you’ll
sometimes feel like you’re only
making small changes. On the other
hand, lots of little positive changes
mean both your employer and your community
will be better off, and when you do
make big changes happen—like
when you help create a new scholarship
for Aboriginal youth—you'll feel
even more rewarded.
Job
Description
Aboriginal liaisons build and maintain
partnerships between Aboriginal groups
and their employers. For example, when
an electricity company needs to build
new towers to provide electricity to
an Aboriginal community, an Aboriginal
liaison would meet with the members
of the community to learn where sacred
and traditional lands are. Then, the
Aboriginal liaison would advise the
electricity company where the new towers
should be built. They would also hire
members of the local community to work
for the electricity company. Aboriginal
liaisons work for large organizations
like the government or private companies.
They may also be self-employed.
Job
Duties
- Conduct
research, develop policies, and
implement programs
- Develop
programs to employ and keep Aboriginal
employees
- Improve
the working environment for Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal employees by
promoting cross-cultural understanding
- Ensure
Aboriginal participation in impact
assessments, proposals, and developments
for long-term projects
- Visit
communities and share information
- Promote
the services and policies of the
organization they work for to the
Aboriginal community at career fairs,
town hall meetings, etc.
- Establish
scholarships and recognition awards
for Aboriginal students
Fact
In Canada, there are 1300 communities
with high percentages of Aboriginal
residents. Of these, 1100 are within
200 km of an operating mine or advanced
resource operation.
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High
school courses that will prepare you
for a job as an Aboriginal liaison include
business, social sciences, English,
math, and sciences. Aboriginal studies,
history, and languages will prepare
you for working in a multi-cultural
setting. Talk to your career or academic
counsellor about options such as writing,
communications, and marketing.
A
bachelor’s degree or college
diploma in a social science (such
as sociology) or business administration
is usually required. A master’s
degree may also be required and make
you more competitive in the job market.
With this degree, you'll find it easier
to get a job and negotiate your salary.
Before entering the workforce, some
Aboriginal liaisons require training
in:
- Aboriginal
languages
- Negotiation
and mediation
- Computers,
especially presentation software
Look
into specific high school prerequisites
set by the college or university you
would like to attend.
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Aboriginal
liaisons with a certificate or diploma
make an average of $28,000.00 per
year.
Aboriginal
liaisons with a university degree
make an average of $54,000.00 per
year.
Aboriginal
liaisons with several years of education
and experience make an average of
$150,000.00 per year.
Financial
Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following awards are
specific to Aboriginal liaisons:
Clarence Ludwig Musclow Bursary
$4,800.00 awarded to a First Nations
student at the University of British
Columbia.
Contact: Office of Student
Financial Assistance
Enrolment Services
University of British Columbia
East Mall, 1874 East Mall Office 1036
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z1
Telephone: (604) 822-5111
Fax: (604) 822-6929
Leroy
Freeman Altiman Memorial Award
One or more bursaries per year are
awarded on the basis of merit and
need to students at the University
of Windsor in a program of studies
concerned with, or of direct benefit
to First Nations people.
Contact: Student Awards Office
University of Windsor
401 Sunset St.
Windsor, ON
N9B 3P4
Telephone: (519) 253-3000
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Some
of the best knowledge you’ll
gain for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Learn to speak as many
languages as possible, including your
Aboriginal language. Talk to your
Elders and find out what issues concern
them. Speak with those around you
and observe how people in your community
interact with each other. Learn how
your community resolves conflicts
and practise this style in your school.
Your knowledge of Aboriginal culture
and communities will be your strongest
asset when looking for a job.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- Environmental
policy analyst
- Environmental
lawyer
- Environmental
scientist
- Traditional
ecological knowledge (TEK) advisor
Relate
and interact with Aboriginal liaisons.
Ask them what they like about their
jobs and how you should get started.
Canadian Indigenous and Native
Students Association
email: cinsa@shaw.ca
website: www.cinsa.ca
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
/ Congrés des peuples autochtones
867 St. Laurent Boulevard
Ottawa, ON
K1K 3B1
Telephone: (613) 747-6022
Fax: (613) 747-8834
email: info@abo-peoples.org
website: www.abo-peoples.org
Relate
to other students. Most universities
have Aboriginal student associations
and resource centres. Visit these
centres to find out what they have
to offer. Also look into community
centres, friendship centres, and multi-cultural
centres.
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