Treaty 7 (First Nations) Interpreter/Demonstrator

Department: Programming & Experience - Interpretation 

Position Type: Seasonal

Hourly Rate: $16.50               

Contract Start Date: April 19, 2025

Contracts End Date: October 30, 2025

Hours: Varies and includes weekdays, weekends, and statutory holidays

What we offer:

• Flexible work arrangements where no one day is similar
• Working in a beautiful park setting
• Free entrance to the Park, including to our many public special events
• Employee discounts on food and retail items and free parking

Who We Are:

Heritage Park is Canada's largest living history museum and offers visitors a chance to experience life in Western Canada from the 1860s to the early 1950s. The Park features historical buildings, costumed interpreters, working antiques, and various exhibits that provide insight into the region's past.

Job Overview:

At Heritage Park, we acknowledge that we are located on the Treaty 7 territory where we respect the deep, historical connection to this land by the Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina, Îyârhe Nakoda, and Métis peoples. Under the direction of the Indigenous Exhibit Lead Hands and Indigenous Programming Specialists, this position will interpret Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Îyârhe-Nakoda and Tsuut'ina history and culture as well as lived experience in designated exhibits or outdoor areas, relaying historical information to the public through a variety of interpretive techniques and demonstrations. 

Responsibilities:

Interpretation and Visitor Engagement

• Educates & engages the public in the history, cultural traditions, and lifestyles of Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Îyârhe-Nakoda and Tsuut'ina cultures, focusing on lifeways during the late 1800s  
  
• Delivers programs and hands-on activities to engage the public using techniques that include living history demonstrations, stationed interpretation, informal guided tours, role acting, and storytelling
• Position will work in two locations: as part of a team of Interpreters in period-appropriate clothing at the tipi encampment area portraying daily life in the pre-railway era; and in Gasoline Alley Museum, providing interpretation to guests at the temporary Bison Exhibit
• Prepares assigned exhibit/space using provided materials for programming and ensures proper care of associated artifacts
  
• Operates the assigned exhibit(s) and associated equipment, where applicable, in accordance with safety, security, and cleaning standards
• Provide an exceptional visitor experience through friendly and courteous interactions with guests, staff, and volunteers, using polite greetings, actively acknowledging guests, and handling situations positively
• Create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors with a customer-focused approach, providing courteous and friendly answers to inquiries and valuable information to enhance the overall visitor experience
• Perform other duties as required

Required Qualifications:

• Lived experience as part of the any of the Indigenous cultures from Treaty 7: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Îyârhe-Nakoda and Tsuut’ina is required 
  
• Enrollment in or completion of secondary school education; post-secondary education in related areas (Indigenous history, historical interpretation, communications) is an asset; equivalent combination of education and lived/cultural experience will also be considered
• Knowledge of First Nations history, culture, language, traditional activities and/or skills is preferred
• Previous experience in customer service, museum education, or interpretation is preferred
• Experience working with diverse groups of people
• Confident in engaging with large groups of people and has strong public speaking skills
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations  
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills in a client-faced setting
• Physically capable of bending, lifting, and transporting artifacts daily (up to 20lbs) 
• All successful candidates (over the age of 18) will be required to go through a Police Information Check as a condition of employment. 

Special Clothing and Equipment:

• Appropriate costuming and safety equipment will be provided by Heritage Park; and
• Footwear, as designated by the Heritage Park Costume Department, will be provided by the employee.

 Special Working Conditions:

• While working at the tipi encampment area, the position will be exposed to weather extremes as it works in unheated buildings and outdoors for extended periods of time;
• This position is physically demanding, and the incumbent must have the ability to stand for long periods of time and walk throughout the Park for extended periods
  

 Hours of Work:

• Full-time hours are available from mid-May to Labour Day, with weekend work during September and October (until Thanksgiving); part-time hours are also available throughout the season; 
• The schedule varies and may include weekdays, weekends, and statutory holidays. 

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