Indigenous Media Advisor - Thunder Bay, Canada - Wildlife Conservation Society

Wildlife Conservation Society

Verified Company

Thunder Bay, Canada

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

beBee Recruiter

Description

Position Title:
Indigenous Media Advisor

Salary:
$30,000 contract

Position Location:
Thunder Bay, ON (in office or hybrid), or remote

Term:
Negotiable (anticipated approx. 3 months full-time work, or up to 6 months part-time work)

Start Date:
Negotiable

Date Written/Revised:2 November, 2023

Reports to:
Dr. Constance O'Connor, Director of the Ontario Northern Boreal Program

Supervises (Direct supervision only): N/A

Application closing date:
Open until filled

The scientific research of WCS Canada takes place on Indigenous lands and waters. WCS Canada is committed to reconciliation through research and conservation of wildlife, lands, and waters with Indigenous Peoples.

This requires a shift towards conservation approaches and practices that respect and recognize Indigenous Knowledge systems as well as a recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples to protect their lands, worldviews, and Knowledge systems.

The work that WCS Canada undertakes with Indigenous communities is based on partnership, trust, and the recognition of the need to advance the cultural, social, spiritual, physical and economic well-being of Indigenous Peoples.

Position Summary:

WCS Canada recognizes the importance of respectful and equitable conservation partnerships with Indigenous Peoples as an explicit goal our Strategic Plan.

WCS Canada's Ontario Northern Boreal (ONB) program focuses geographically on the far north region in Ontario, and on the need for bigger-picture planning approaches, such as regional and strategic assessments, in partnership with First Nation organizations and communities, in order to achieve better future outcomes for people and nature.

Our approach is to generate science and bring evidence to decision-making processes with the aim that the cultural, social, and ecological values of the forests, peatlands, and waterways in northern Ontario are sustained, even as resource extraction and human development activities advance.

There is currently a great deal of mineral speculation in northern Ontario, particularly within an area that has been called the Ring of Fire region by mining companies, as well as in northwestern Ontario.

Much of the public discussion of the area has revolved around the potential value of the minerals beneath the ground.

However, this region is a homeland for Indigenous Peoples, and has great value for many other reasons, including cultural, spiritual, environmental, and for other economic values outside of mining interests.

These values are important locally for Indigenous Peoples whose homelands are being affected, and more widely, particularly because the peatlands in northern Ontario are a globally important carbon store that is actively combatting climate change.

WCS Canada has been working in various ways and with various partners to bring these other values into public discussions and decision-making about and for northern Ontario and the so-called Ring of Fire area.

As part of these efforts, WCS Canada is planning to create an online space for local people, primarily Indigenous Peoples, within, around, and downstream of the so-called Ring of Fire area to share their stories about why the land is important and valuable to them.

We are currently looking for a creative, detail-oriented, and positive individual to lead this project.

This work will involve gathering, compiling, and organizing various stories, statements, audio recordings, and photo and video content for the online hub.

A full overview of WCS Canada work with Indigenous Peoples and communities can be found here.

More information on how WCS Canada is working in what is being called the Ring of Fire area can be found here.

Position Objectives:

Support the development of an online space to amplify the voices of local people, primarily Indigenous Peoples, within, around, and downstream of the so-called Ring of Fire area and share their stories about why the land is important and valuable to them by gathering, compiling, and organizing media content.

In this position you will:

Establish and maintain meaningful and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and individuals in the socalled Ring of Fire region and in other areas of northern Ontario being affected by mineral speculation and exploration.
Find existing stories and media and seek appropriate permissions to have these shared on the online hub.
Develop opportunities for individuals to share their stories, photographs, artwork, and other media. This may also involve taking photos, video recordings, and sound recordings, or seeking translation services. This will involve developing and implementing appropriate and respectful consent processes that protect individual and community rights their stories and images.
Work with the communities and individuals contributing to this project to confirm that perspectives are being authentically, accurately, and respectfully represented.
Develop an orga