Senior Indigenous Advisor

Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency; Regina; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A provincial safety agency in Canada is seeking a Senior Indigenous Advisor to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and ensure their inclusive participation in public safety initiatives. This role involves managing complex governance structures, providing strategic advice during crises, and developing policies pertaining to Indigenous people. Applicants should have a strong background in Indigenous studies, proven relationship management skills, and experience in emergency management. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Vacation and leave options

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous history, governance, culture, and related issues.
• Proven ability to navigate complex Indigenous governance structures and build trust-based relationships.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, including financial, operational, and risk analysis.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with Indigenous leaders and emergency management coordinators.
• Provide strategic advice related to emergencies affecting Indigenous communities.
• Make recommendations about the SPSA’s position in government policies.
• Lead strategic direction of Indigenous engagement initiatives.
• Act as an SPSA representative on engagement project teams.

Skills

Knowledge of Indigenous history

Relationship management

Negotiation skills

Leadership skills

Project management skills

Education

Degree in Indigenous studies or related field

Job description

Agency Overview

The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is a Treasury Board Crown responsible for emergency communications (including Sask911 and SaskAlert), wildfire management, emergency management, the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program, and fire safety. This centralized agency ensures a single point of contact for communities, greater coordination of provincial resources, and contributes to safer communities across Saskatchewan.

The Opportunity

The SPSA is seeking a Senior Indigenous Advisor within the Enterprise Projects and External Relations Branch. This leadership role is pivotal in advancing the Agency’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, and ensuring inclusive participation in public safety initiatives.

The Director will lead the development and implementation of the Agency’s Indigenous Relations Strategy, provide strategic advice to SPSA executives, and oversee initiatives that impact emergency management, crisis response, and stakeholder engagement. This position plays a critical role in navigating complex governance structures, fostering trust, and ensuring culturally appropriate approaches to service delivery.

Responsibilities for this position include:

Relationship Management:

• Build relationships with Indigenous leaders and emergency management coordinators in order to transition those relationships to SPSA response personnel (e.g., Emergency and Crisis Response, POs, ESOs).
• Occasionally lead difficult and sensitive conversations based on long standing and complicated issues. This includes internal and external conversations focused on challenging current thinking and practice, while demonstrating respect for the work of the SPSA, respecting the needs of First Nations and Métis people and building solutions.

Issue Management:

• Provide strategic advice and at times on-the-ground support to the Agency in relation to emergency and disasters affecting Indigenous communities.
• Provide verbal and written analysis and advice to branches, senior and executive management on the SPSA’s obligations to Indigenous people and the implications of Indigenous issues on policies, programs, and public involvement processes.
• Design, develop, implement, and evaluate processes to resolve high conflict issues between municipalities, Tribal Councils, FSIN, First Nations, Métis and the SPSA, including Band and Métis Locals.
• Advise on the development of strategic Agency responses to media and legal issues in relation to Indigenous communities.
• Collaborate with other provinces/territories as well as other Saskatchewan agencies, ministries, Cowns and First Nations/Métis governments.

Policy and Program Development:

• Make recommendations by providing solutions to senior and executive management regarding the SPSA’s position in government policies pertaining to Indigenous people.
• Support intergovernmental and interministerial process to develop Indigenous related policies, programs and proposals.
• Support SPSA branches by providing subject matter expert advice on consideration of Indigenous rights, interests and perspectives in the development of planning documents, engagement initiatives, Cabinet Decision Items, Cabinet Information Items, Treasury Board submissions, briefing notes and Minister's correspondence.
• Anticipate, identify, interpret trends and issues related to Indigenous emergency preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery initiatives.
• Lead strategic direction of Indigenous (instructional design) learning and development, Indigenous Engagement funding, and business models for creating sustainable relationships for engagement.

Partnership Development:

• Establish and maintain high levels of credibility, integrity, and trust within and between the SPSA and Indigenous governments through partnerships and dialogue forums.
• Act as an SPSA representative on project teams for engagement initiatives.
• Provide advice and support to advance SPSA plans and approaches to expand Indigenous engagement and involvement in emergency management response and decision making.

Education and Awareness:

• Resident subject matter expert on First Nations and Métis issues: provide cultural interpretation and direction related to diverse cultural protocols, language, traditions/values/beliefs, cultural and legal distinctions.
• Advance the SPSA’s understanding of Indigenous and Treaty rights and issues related to emergency management.
• Liaise with and influence non-Indigenous stakeholders to promote understanding of the SPSA’s and government's obligation to Indigenous people and to promote and develop positive relationships.
• Lead the approach and implementation for building internal capacity and confidence of SPSA staff to maximize ability to work cooperatively with Indigenous communities and groups and develop appropriate responses for implementation.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous history, governance, culture, and related issues.
• Proven ability to navigate complex Indigenous governance structures and build trust-based relationships.
• Strong leadership and project management skills, including financial, operational, and risk analysis.
• Highly developed negotiation, facilitation, and dispute resolution skills.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and cross-government initiatives.
• A degree in Indigenous studies, public administration, human services, or a related field, supplemented by several years of relevant experience.
• Valid driver’s license, ability to travel up to 40%, and a satisfactory criminal record check.

What We Offer

• Dynamic, challenging work for talented individuals.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including pension.
• Vacation, scheduled days off (SDO), and other types of leave.
• Inclusive work environment and advancement opportunities.