Director of Culture and Language

The Tla’amin Nation is a modern, forward-thinking, self-governing nation located on the beautiful upper Sunshine Coast (qathet Region).

Position Summary

Job Type:                      Full-time, permanent

Hours of Work:             8:30AM – 4:30PM, Monday to Friday

Reports to:                    Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) 

Department:                 Culture and Language

The Director of Culture and Language provides strategic leadership for the Tla’amin Nation’s culture, language, heritage, and protocol priorities. Working closely with Elders, cultural leaders, the Culture Committee, Executive Council, staff, and the Tla’amin administration, the Director provides trusted guidance on cultural practices, language use, protocol, and heritage.

The position brings together culture and protocol, ʔəms ʔayɛ, and language revitalization into a cohesive vision. The Director of Culture and Language provides leadership for departmental staff, budgets, strategic planning, programs, partnerships, and funding, ensuring Tla’amin teachings, practices, and language are upheld with integrity and actively carried forward across government, community life, and public-facing work.

Key Responsibilities

Performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with Tla’amin policies, standards, practices and procedures as directed by the CAO. Maintains confidentiality as required pertaining to members, clients, employees and general matters of the Nation.

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provides overall leadership for the Culture and Language Department, including staff, budgets, work plans, and priorities.
• Develops and implements multi-year strategies and annual plans for culture, language, heritage, protocol, and ʔəms ʔayɛ.
• Ensures alignment between cultural programming, language revitalization, museum development, and Tla’amin Nation priorities.
• Provides supervision, direction, and support to department staff and oversees departmental resources.

Cultural Governance & Advisory

• Supports the Tla’amin Culture Committee and provides senior advice to leadership on culture, protocol, heritage, and language.
• Supports Executive Council, departments, and staff in applying Tla’amin teachings, practices, and protocols.
• Ensures cultural integrity and appropriate protocols are maintained in major initiatives, projects, partnerships, and public-facing work.

Language Revitalization

• Leads implementation of the five-year Tla’amin language strategy and annual work plans.
• Provides oversight of language programs, resources, documentation, archiving, and learning opportunities.
• Supports ʔayʔajuθəm programming in schools and the qaymɩxʷqɛnəmšt immersion program.
• Develops adult language learning opportunities and partnerships, including with the University of Victoria.
• Oversees the online Tla’amin dictionary and builds relationships with sister Nations and language organizations.

Living Museum – ʔəms ʔayɛ

• Leads implementation of the five-year museum plan for ɬawšəs.
• Provides strategic oversight of the Tla’amin Living Museum, including policies, programming, collections, exhibitions, and visitor experience.
• Ensures museum activities reflect Tla’amin teachings, histories, perspectives, and lived practices and align with broader cultural and language priorities.

Community, Partnerships & Funding

• Builds strong relationships with Elders, cultural leaders, knowledge holders, artists, Citizens, sister Nations, and community partners.
• Represents Tla’amin Nation at cultural gatherings, forums, meetings, and Nation-to-Nation engagements.
• Develops partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, museums, language organizations, and other external partners.
• Identifies and secures funding opportunities and oversees grants, budgets, reporting, and deliverables.
• Supports evaluation, continuous improvement, and growth of culture, language, heritage, and community initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the CAO.

Qualifications
Training, Education, Experience
• Post-secondary education in Indigenous studies, language revitalization, cultural resource management, museum studies, education, public administration, or a related field is preferred.
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience with Tla’amin culture, language, teachings, history, protocols, and governance.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including strategic planning, program development, staff supervision, and budget management.
• Experience working with Elders, cultural leaders, knowledge holders, and community-led initiatives.
• Experience developing and managing cultural, language, heritage, education, museum, or community programs.
• Experience working in a First Nation government or Indigenous organization is preferred.
• Experience with language revitalization, cultural programming, museum or heritage development is an asset.
• Experience with grants, funding applications, partnerships, and reporting is an asset.
• Proficiency in ʔayʔajuθəm, spoken and/or written, is an asset.
• Ability to read and write International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.
• Acceptable Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check prior to employment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
• Strong knowledge and understanding of Tla’amin culture, language, teachings, values, history, governance, and protocols.
• Strong leadership, communication, relationship-building, and people-management skills.
• Ability to provide strategic direction while supporting effective day-to-day operations.
• Excellent organizational, project management, financial management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, budgets, projects, deadlines, and partnerships.
• Strong written, verbal, facilitation, presentation, and public-speaking skills.
• Understanding of language revitalization, cultural programming, and/or museum and heritage practices.
• Ability to provide sound, culturally informed advice to leadership, departments, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivity when working with cultural knowledge and community matters.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and recognize when consultation with Elders, cultural leaders, leadership, or community is required.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office 365 and relevant project management and database systems.
• Commitment to Tla’amin Nation self-determination, cultural continuity, language revitalization, intergenerational learning, and Nation-building.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and demonstrated respect for Tla’amin culture, traditions, values, teachings, and protocols.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Occasional travel to attend meetings, cultural gatherings, training, conferences, or community events is required. Occasional flexibility outside regular working hours may be required to support approved cultural activities, meetings, or events.

How to Apply
Please apply online by sending your resume and cover letter to: https://tlaaminfirst.bamboohr.com/careers/349 

OR drop-off/mail to Attention: Human Resources Department, Tla’amin Nation, 4779 Klahanie Rd, qathet, BC, V8A 0C4 

This posting will be open until filled.

Preference may be given to qualified Tla’amin citizens, qualified Indigenous applicants, and applicants with experience working in First Nations, modern treaty, or self-governing Indigenous government environments.

*We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.