Administrative Assistant – Iniikokaan Centre Full Time

Are you a skilled administrative professional with customer service experience looking to contribute to a meaningful role in support of Indigenous Peoples?
Are you interested in being part of a diverse dynamic team where you’re celebrated and valued?
Please send your resume and attach a statement of interest or cover letter before April 30th, 2025 to be considered for this full-time continuous position.

Salary range: $42,876- $ $53,892 per year

Work hours: In-person at our downtown Calgary campus Monday to Friday from 7:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. year-round.

About the Role
The Iniikokaan Centre provides support and resources for the success of self-identified Canadian Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) ancestry. The Centre also provides learning and engagement opportunities for all students and staff.

The Iniikokaan Centre is seeking a dedicated and organized Administrative Assistant located within the Centre at the Reception Desk to support its mission of providing culturally responsive services to Indigenous students. This role is essential in fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that respects Indigenous traditions, knowledge, and community connections.

As the Administrative Assistant, you will provide reception coverage and comprehensive support to the Manager of the Iniikokaan Centre, Centre staff, and Indigenous student support initiatives. Responsibilities include maintaining files, supporting events and engagements, managing the Centre’s general email inbox, and responding to inquiries in a friendly and efficient manner. You will oversee the organization of the Centre’s OneDrive, SharePoint folders, and student communications, ensuring smooth operations. Additionally, you will coordinate meetings, book student appointments, and assist with interdepartmental collaboration.

A key aspect of this role is supporting Indigenous student experiences by sourcing materials, assisting with student metrics and data entry, and compiling relevant online resources. You will also help organize and coordinate special events, guest speakers, field trips, and cultural gatherings, ensuring proper room bookings, setup, and adherence to Indigenous protocols. This includes assisting with Elder and Knowledge Keeper visits, ceremonial preparations, and the facilitation of Indigenous traditions within the Centre.

Your role will also involve liaising with external organizations, tracking supplies for student pantries and the Centre’s kitchen, and assisting in preparing financial documents, honoraria requests, and reports. You will be a central point of communication, ensuring interdepartmental updates are shared, recording meeting minutes, and supporting the Centre’s event calendar.

As the first point of contact, you will welcome students, staff, and visitors with warmth and professionalism. You will monitor the Gathering Space, ensure students have access to necessary resources, and refer them to appropriate College and community supports. You will also uphold a respectful and culturally aware environment, ensuring that Indigenous traditions and protocols are honored while providing guidance on available services.

The Successful Candidate requires:
• A certificate in office or administrative assistance and demonstrative organizational ability
• At least six months of experience in an administrative role.
• A demonstrated connection, active ties, live experience, and relationship with an Indigenous community or Indigenous networks.
• Experience working alongside Indigenous populations.
• Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to work independently
• Flexibility to adjust to changing priorities and workloads.
• An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience may be considered.

This position is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about supporting Indigenous students and communities, ensuring that cultural traditions are upheld while providing efficient and organized administrative support.
If you are committed to fostering an inclusive, culturally respectful, and welcoming environment, we encourage you to apply.

In person attendance at our downtown Calgary campus with working hours: 7:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday year-round is required.

The successful candidate for this position will be rewarded with a competitive salary, paid vacation time and other paid time off, a comprehensive benefits plan, participation in our defined pension plan, and will have access to supported professional development and training.

Closing Date: May 15, 2025

This opening is a continuous (AUPE) position. Please note all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check.

About the Iniikokaan Centre
Iniikokaan Centre – A “Buffalo Lodge” for all Nations
English/Western dominant pronunciation: “in-nee go-gon”
English translation*: Buffalo painted lodge (tipi) in Blackfoot language
The teaching (in summary): Education is our New Buffalo

Iniikokaan Centre serves all students and works to sustain safety, respect and reverence for all Nations within this space and place. We are committed to Indigenous student success, as you define it. Our staff are responsible for helping students to address barriers and walk beside them in a supportive and culturally appropriate way. Together, we are co-creating a sense of belonging and community.

Innii
This is the Blackfoot name for the animal known in English as the Buffalo. The Buffalo is an important symbol for the people. For countless generations, it sustained us with food, clothing, shelter, and tools. Today, it is said that education is the New Buffalo. Education provides us with opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive in the modern world, much as the Buffalo provided for our ancestors.

Iniikokaan
The Blackfoot word translates to Painted Buffalo Lodge. On June 17, 2013, Piikani Nation Knowledge Keepers and Ceremonialists transferred the name “Iniikokaan” to Bow Valley College through song and ceremony. The name is also in connection to the sacred Black Buffalo Lodge whose owners are Grant Little Mustache and Peter Strikes With A Gun from the Piikani Nation. Gratitude is also extended to Leonard Bastein and Grant Little Mustache, Piikani Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy.

*A note about translation: We are learning that language is culture and in respect to the Indigenous languages of this place, we note simplified English translations without connected stories in their original languages are teachings that are incomplete. We invite students to take advantage of the opportunities to learn more teachings through stories and language throughout the year.

Above: Sentiments were shared with us from the Siksikatsi’poyiksi – the Blackfoot language speakers.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

About Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College is Calgary’s college with local impact and global reach, serving more than 15,000 students. We launch our students by preparing them for in-demand jobs through high-quality, future-oriented education. We advance our graduates into careers in healthcare, technology, business, entertainment arts, social services, and more, contributing to our economy and community. We evolve our students through work-integrated learning, upskilling, and reskilling.

Proud to be named one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges, our applied research focuses on health and educational technology, and social innovation. Home to the Digital Entertainment Nexus, Calgary’s first esports arena, and the Bears varsity team, Bow Valley College is celebrating 60 years of student success. Learn more about the opportunities we create at bowvalleycollege.ca.

Land Acknowledgement
Bow Valley College aims to uphold the intention of the numbered friendship treaties from the perspective of
Indigenous Peoples. As an institution in Treaty 7 territory, it is our responsibility to pursue a deeper understanding of this Treaty, so that we can respect and honour its terms, and respect Indigenous Peoples’ legal and inherited rights.

Through our words and actions, Bow Valley College honours the territories and Peoples of the Blackfoot Confederacy: which includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Amskapi Piikani (Blackfeet) First Nations; as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda: including the Goodstoney, Chiniki, and Bearspaw First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation.

We also recognize the connection and autonomy of the Métis Nation of Alberta within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.

We join all Nations in celebrating the unique histories, traditions, cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples as we continue our journey on the road toward reconciliation together.