Contract opportunity - Indigenous Culture Liaison

Contract opportunity: Indigenous Culture Liaison

The City of Ottawa’s Arts and Heritage Development Branch is looking to hire an Indigenous Culture Liaison to undertake research and community engagement that will inform the development of a new City of Ottawa Culture Plan, an Indigenous Culture Program, and Public Art Program processes. The feedback obtained from the work of the Indigenous Culture Liaison will shape a new Culture Plan for the City of Ottawa, inform a funding program that will support Anishinabe Algonquin and urban Indigenous cultural initiatives, programming and services, as well as impact the processes and opportunities offered by the Public Art Program.

Successful candidates must be members of a recognized First Nation, Inuit or Métis nation. Priority will be given to Anishinabe Algonquin applicants.

Ideal candidates will have the following knowledge and skills:

• experience working with Indigenous communities
• experience working with Anishinabe Algonquin Nation
• knowledge of Anishinabe Algonquin First Nations and urban Indigenous communities in Ottawa
• lived experience (e.g., first-hand involvement and/or personal experience) with Indigenous culture and traditional knowledge
• knowledge of organizations supporting Indigenous communities in the Ottawa area
• transportation plan or driver’s licence to reach communities

The work to be completed by the Liaison:

• Conduct engagement sessions with communities to identify needs, priorities and challenges as they relate to culture in Indigenous communities
• Compile information gathered from the engagement sessions
• Present the findings to the community for validation
• Share the findings with City of Ottawa’s Arts and Heritage Development Branch staff

Timeline to complete this work?

This work will be carried out between October 2025 and March 2026, with a possible extension of this position to further impact the existing processes and opportunities offered by the City of Ottawa Arts and Heritage Development Branch

What does it pay?

This is a temporary, short-term contract of up to $30,000, inclusive of HST, if applicable (not inclusive of an additional extension).

What is the selection process?

All applications will be reviewed by a panel of City staff and/or representatives of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation and other urban Indigenous communities, as applicable. Applications are to include:

• a CV and/or letter of interest
• successful applicants will be asked for proof of membership or letter of support from the community the applicant is a member of

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview and may be asked for references.

How do I apply?

Please send your application to infoculture@ottawa.ca by Friday, October 17, 2025. Alternative formats, such as audio/visual applications, will also be accepted.

Questions? Need more information?

If you have any questions about this opportunity, or if you require access and disability accommodations, reach out to Caroline Matt at caroline.matt@ottawa.ca or 613-799-2761.