Employment Opportunity
Event Coordinator Assistant (Summer Student)

About Keepers of the Circle
Keepers of the Circle is an Indigenous Hub operated by the Temiskaming Native Women’s Support
Group (TNWSG), a non-profit organization founded in 1997 to promote the economic, cultural, and social
equity of Indigenous women. The TNWSG was also mandated to establish culturally based programs and
services to for Indigenous women and their families in the District of Temiskaming. In 2018, the mandate
extended across the province with our appointment as the Ontario representative for the Native Women’s
Association of Canada. Keepers of the Circle programming is focused on the restoration and retention of
Indigenous languages and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge; economic security and self-determination;
and creating culturally safe spaces for Indigenous women and families. 

About the Role
Keepers of the Circle is looking to recruit a summer student for the position of an Event Coordinator
Assistant. In this role, you will join the Family and Cultural Team and help with coordinating and
organizing Keepers of the Circle’s annual celebration events for National Indigenous People’s Day and
National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Keepers of the Circle hosts two public-wide event celebrations open to all community members in the
District of Temiskaming, one in Cobalt and one in Kirkland Lake which had 600 and 2000 attendees
respectively in 2022. During these events, we run a range of activities and programs including ceremony,
cultural workshops, an Indigenous business and artist booth showcase, gift baskets and giveaways, and
performances from Indigenous singers, dancers, and drum groups.

As the Event Coordinator Assistant, you will be responsible for supporting the Lead Event Planner to
organize event logistics, schedule programs and activities, and increase sponsorship and funding for the
event. This includes communicating with Indigenous vendors and performers to schedule event
programs, attending meetings of planning and steering committees as needed, and organizing and
purchasing materials and supplies. You will also collaborate with our Marketing Team to develop
promotional strategies, create marketing materials, and identify media outlets to promote and report on
the event. In this position, you will also learn about networking and negotiation by working with our
Partnerships Team to approach local businesses and organizations for sponsorship or donations. The
summer student in this role will be expected to attend both events (June 21 and September 30) and
support the Lead Event Planner with their duties to ensure that event logistics are in order.

This position is in-person, and the selected candidate will be working at either our New Liskeard or
Kirkland Lake site. As this is a summer student position, this role will be a 4-month full-time contract.
Roles and Responsibilities of an Indigenous Housing Worker include:
• Record minutes during Steering Committee planning meetings and team meetings with the
Family and Cultural Team
• Contact local Indigenous vendors to source event supplies (e.g. smudge kits, t-shirts, printing,
etc.) and manage purchasing of materials
• Collaborate with the Keepers of the Circle Marketing Team to create promotional strategies and
marketing materials for the events
• Contact local Indigenous artists and groups to contract their services for performances and other
traditional activities (e.g. dancers, drum groups)
• Create the schedule of activities that will take place during the event
• Coordinate with the Elder Support Coordinator to communicate and support the role of the
Council of Wisdom Keepers within the event
• Supporting the Partnerships Team with outreach to local businesses, organizations, and industry
partners for sponsorships and donations
• Assist with creating the volunteer schedule for staff members and other volunteers for the day of
the event with assigned duties and responsibilities for all activities
• Collaborate with the Marketing Team to identify media outlets and strategies to both promote the
event and share the success and stories post-event
• Support the Family and Cultural Team with other duties related to events and cultural
programming on an as needed basis

Requirements and Skills
• Youth (between the ages of 15 and 30 years old)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organization, coordination, and time management skills
• Strong active listening skills
• Non-judgmental and inclusive
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Experience working within an Indigenous community setting
• Working knowledge of MS Office
• Excellent problem-solving ability
• Respect to diversity
• Comfortable working both independently and with a dynamic team
• Able to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and reliability
• Keepers of the Circle values the local community and preference will be given to recruit a local
candidate who can be on-site at one of our site locations.
• Ability to travel and a valid G license is preferred

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility
We advocate for the presence and contributions of all people regardless of ability, age, cultural
background, education, ethnic origin, gender expression, gender identity, immigration status, language,
marital status, nationality, physical appearance, political affiliations, perspective, race, religion, sexual
orientation, sexuality, family status, socioeconomic status, or other such considerations, and
intersectionality's therein. As an Indigenous organization, Keepers of the Circle has an affirmative action
policy that prioritizes the hiring of Indigenous Peoples and community affiliates. We encourage
applicants who identify as Indigenous (First Nation, Metis, or Inuit) or an affiliate to bring this to
our attention in your cover letter. Please let us know of any specific requirements during the application
process by emailing hr@keepersofthecircle.com – we are happy to work with you on accommodation
requests.