Cheryl K. Watson

PROFILE

Recognized leader in Canada's Indigenous communities across the prairies, with 25+ years of extensive experience in client service excellence, program management, Indigenous policy development and Indigenous relations, looking for a new job opportunity at level to EC-06 or equivalent due to a relocation in Edmonton, Alberta.

 SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS

 · 24-years of experience working collaboratively with the Indigenous leadership and community members across Canada’s treaty areas in various positions, as Program Officer, Program Manager and Senior Analyst within Private and Federal Public Sectors.

· 20-years of experience of federal liaison and participation, to bilateral tables with Indigenous communities or Na National Indigenous organizations’’ partners on behalf of Health Canada and Canadian Heritage.

· 12-years of successfully manage a national Indigenous youth initiative within an external organization; influencing over 7,900 Indigenous youth on entrepreneurship as a viable career choice.

· Strong experience in providing advice and briefing to Senior Management for the Federal government on policy documents and operational tools such as but not limited to Memorandum to Cabinet, Policy Framework, Budget Asks, Fact Sheets, Ministerial Correspondences, Indigenous Languages Program Terms & Conditions, Guidelines.

· One year and more experience of manager positions, mostly for Jordan’s Principle at First Nation & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) and by cumulative interim for the Indigenous Languages Branch’s Operation Policy Team at Canadian Heritage.

· Demonstrated capacity in providing client services in community development, support, and capacity building.

· Extensive experience in handling highly sensitive, case files, often complex and high-profile involving Reconciliation, and Collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, the implementation of Governmental priorities such as Jordan's Principle ini a ve and the Indigenous Languages Act.

· Experience handling difficult situations, to complex Indigenous issues while monitoring and acknowledging the clients and external stakeholder's perspectives.

· Demonstrated high emotional intelligence gained after years of experience handling Indigenous files and through personal experiences.

· Valid Security Clearance: Secret.

· Education: Bachelor’s Degree (Majoring in Business Admin. / Politics).

· Language Proficiency: English only.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 Senior Policy and Research Analyst (EC-06) - April 04, 2022, to May 26, 2025 Indigenous Languages Branch, Opera ons Directorate, National Capital Region, Canadian Heritage (PCH)

 Contributes to the Department's efforts to implement the Indigenous Languages Act (the Act) and support the development of new Indigenous Languages Funding Models.

· Advise and participate n the content of policy documents (Memorandum to Cabinet, Treasury Board Submissions, Budget Requests) to be er support the Indigenous communities and organization, in their efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages and the implementation of the Act.

· Support the development and update of work-plans, discussion papers, briefing material necessary to advance discussions with the National Indigenous Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Métis National Council) members of a Joint Implementation Steering Committee with Canadian Heritage.

· Support the collaboration, work with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council on amending the existing Terms and Conditions for the Indigenous Languages Program’s Flexible and Grant Agreements.

· Liaise with the Canadian Heritage Centre of Expertise on Grants and Contributions and Senior Management (Directors and DG) for Treasury Board Secretariat approval.

Supports the implementation, of agreements under section 8 and 9 of the Indigenous Languages Act

· Support the collaboration, with the Assembly of First Nations in the development of the application guidelines for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Indigenous Languages Act.

· Work collaboratively with my program colleagues to negotiate, analyze and provide advice and comments to the First Nations recipients’ proposals, with a focus on clarifying budgets, activities, timelines reporting and expected data results.

· Provide recommendation to senior management for approval of agreements.

· Liaise with First nations, communities and organizations and support the program team by developing and ensuring a pro-active linkage and effective relationships with the recipients for the full implementation of the agreements.

 Accelerating reconciliation, with Indigenous Peoples by supporting Senior Management and colleagues.

· Participate in learning opportunities to enhance knowledge of the history and social contribution of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

· Participate and contribute to team meetings, to improve awareness, communications, and information sharing between team members.

· Responsible for ongoing requests from senior management for drafting correspondences, communication briefs, media responses, fact sheets, parliamentary fact sheets, briefing notes, presentations, analyses, scenario notes, for Indigenous partners and governments.

Senior Policy and Research Analyst (EC-06)- January 21, 2021 – April 01, 2022

Indigenous Languages Branch, Policy Directorate, National Capital Region, Canadian Heritage (PCH).

• Assisted on coordination, of legislative and regulatory process including parliamentary procedures and submissions to Cabinet or Treasury Board for policy unit.

• Assisted on the Memorandum to Cabinet submission which outlined the framework on the requirements for accessing application on requests for time-limited funding under Sections 8 and 9 of the Indigenous Languages Act.

• Provided written and verbal briefings including strategic and technical analysis on legislative and regulatory to senior management.

• Represented the branch with other Departments such as Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

- Coordinated the Indigenous Languages Branch working group composed of the Indigenous Languages Branch managers and senior analysts for updates on each of the Branch’s directorate activities implementing the Act.

• Continue to provide in-depth knowledge of Indigenous communities and context, in particular the socio-economic of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

 Senior Advisor, Program Development (PM-05) - November 28, 2019 - January 20, 2021, First Nations & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), National  Capital Region, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

 • Assisted with development of an Indigenous holistic continuum of care for regional engagement under the First Nations & Inuit Health Branch.

• Project management: monitoring funding for engagement approaches to support senior management.

• Assisted with secretariat functions: agendas, meeting minutes, for the National Advisory committee.

• Developed briefing notes, decks for internal engagement with FNIHB and ISC.

• Responsible to liaison with federal departments on the engagement of continuum of care initiative.

 Manager, Program Delivery (PM-05) - May 02, 2019 – November 27, 2019.  First Na ons & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Jordan’s Principle, Ontario Region, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

• Reviewed, analyzed, and presented viable solutions, to senior management on Jordan’s Principle group proposals submitted by Indigenous partners, Indigenous organizations, and Communities.

• Provided recommendations, to senior management on the Jordan’s Principle initiative on sensitive cases, group requests, budget forecasts.

• Provided oral and written correspondence to partners, cliental on updated Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders and managed a funding database for senior management.

• Managed team of four (4) employees, responsible for Human Resources, development, and wellness functions due to tight time constraints with CHRT rulings.

• Approved individual adjudication cases, commitment of funds, payments and acted in the position of Focal Point- Regional Lead and managed 25+ staff over various periods.

Senior Program Officer Program Delivery (PM-05) - February 05, 2018 – May 01, 2019. First Nation & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Ontario Region, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).

 • Assisted First Nations communities on promotion, development, and coordination of public health initiatives that addressed mental health and wellness, leadership skills.

• Provided program and policy advice to clients and regional organizations on health issues and trends.

• Provided advice and recommendations to senior management related to Indigenous health funding agreements, community work planning and reporting.

• Assisted with the development of briefing notes for the minister or senior management on community action requests and correspondence.

• Provided advice on Indigenous health policy issues to senior management, working groups or committees.

Senior Program Officer/Jordan’s Principle Coordinator (PM-04) - October 31, 2016 – February 02, 2018, First Nation & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Alberta Region, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

 • Participated in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation on of Jordan Principle group applications and prepared reports and briefings for senior management.

• Reviewed, analyzed, and presented viable solutions to senior management on Jordan’s Principle individual requests, group proposals submitted by Indigenous organizations, and communities.

• Provided recommendations to senior management on the Jordan’s Principle initiative on sensitive cases, group requests, budget forecasts.

• Provided oral and written correspondence to partners, cliental on updated Canadian Human Rights Tribunal orders and managed a funding database for senior management updates.

• Maintained continuous stakeholder engagement client services that included partnerships established with federal, provincial, First Na ons cliental, partners and Jordan’s Principle service coordinators.

 Program Officer (PM-04) - July 13, 2015 - Oct. 28, 2016, First Nation & Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Alberta Region, Health Canada (HC)

 • Acted as federal liaison on behalf of the department with community partners to co-develop funding arrangements that delivered program and services with community-controlled resources.

• Managed 18 First Nations health contribution agreements and conducted community work planning training sessions for various levels of funding arrangements and budgets.

• Planned professional development training sessions and workshops for all program related staff and coordinated and managed community participation.

• Provided strategic advice to senior management on the First Nations contribution agreement and identified potential issues, areas of concern after community site visits.

• Provided input into the development of regional and national program planning policy on cultural awareness, strategic work planning, risk management and community need’s assessments.

E-Spirit Project Manager/Business Development Representative - May 2001 - 2013, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), National Aboriginal Banking, Manitoba Region.

 • Managed a National Aboriginal Youth Initiative and was responsible for the overall administration of budget, achievement of set targets and mandates as per program policies.

• Managed and co-produced the E-Spirit Awards Gala ceremony, evening agenda and script.

• Promoted BDC’s financial and consulting services, presented and conducted business development activities at tradeshows, speaking engagements and contributed to the Aboriginal Banking efforts with branch personnel in Ontario and Prairies.

 REFERENCES

 Available upon Request

Bachelor’s Degree (Majoring in Business Admin. / Politics).