Farm to School – Lkwungen Harvest4Knowledge Coordinator

Lkwungen Harvest4Knowledge Coordinator

Part Time (5 hours/weeks)

Victoria, BC

 

Project Summary:

Harvest4Knowledge is a pilot project taking place on the unceeded territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nation. The project is funded by the Ministry of Health and Horner Foundation, and administered by Farm to School BC through Public Health Association of BC (PHABC) to bring native plant and traditional food knowledge into the minds, hearts and bellies of children and youth. Selected schools in School District 61 (SD61) that meet our eligibility criteria will receive grants to plant native plants, build medicine wheels, harvest traditional foods, and connect with elders and knowledge keepers. This project will promote opportunities for students to eat traditional foods in their classrooms, lunch or breakfast programs. Finally, the Harvest4Knowledge will continue to build regional and provincial Farm to School Network, bringing Indigenous ways of knowing into the network through a community of practice and working alongside local First Nations communities.

 

Position Summary:

The contract is for $7,000 which includes GST and start from November 2017 to June 2018, with the opportunity for renewal for the 2018-2019 school year. In this position you will report to Capital Region Farm to School Hub Animator, the Lkwungen Harvest4Knowledge Coordinator will support grant recipient schools in creating native plant gardens, medicines and opportunities for students to eat traditional foods in their classroom. The Lkwungen
Harvest4Knowledge Coordinator will place Songhees, Esquimalt communities and selected schools at the centre of all they do, believing that sustainable solutions are only ever developed when the support of a local community is strongly evident. The Lkwungen Harvest4Knowledge Coordinator will be a change agent in the community, building bridges within the community, among different communities and with the organizations and institutions that are impacting the community. The Lkwungen Harvest4Knowledge Coordinator will invest in relationships that
will form the solid foundation for future partnership development.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate the acquisition of signage for all selected school native plant gardens and medicine wheels
  • Work with Sarah Rhude, District Aboriginal Art and Culture Facilitator to acquire plants for and other infrastructure to support the creation of native plant gardens and medicine wheels.
  • Support the development of signage that will be in Lkwungen and English
  • Communicate with Songhees and Esquimalt elders and knowledge keepers about the project and connect them to the project when appropriate
  • Support selected schools in developing a program plan for their project.
  • Check-in with selected schools to discuss successes and challenges and to address additional needs or concerns.
  • Provide verbal and written updates as requested
  • Attending meetings and other duties as requested by Capital Region Farm to School Animator

 

Qualifications

  • Education and/or experience working with Aboriginal communities and youth.
  • Ability to navigate complex relationships and competing organizations and community needs
  • The ability to share knowledge or connect with elders and knowledge keeps about Coast Salish plants
  • An understanding of community development and Songhees and Esquimalt community protocol and the ability to build cultural safety
  • Demonstrates the ability to work independently and as a team player
  • Leadership style and work ethic that promotes collaboration, inclusivity, creativity, open communication as well as independent decision making

 

To Apply:

Submit your resume and one page cover letter of why you would be the ideal candidate for this position to Aaren Topley, Capital Region Farm to School Hub Animator at capitalregion@farmtoschoolbc.ca.

 

Application Deadline:

Monday, October 23rd, 2017 at 11pm.

Priority will be given to applicants who are members of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nation.