Manager, Indigenous and Economic Community Relations

The Role

Reporting to the Vice-President Economic Development, our Manager, Indigenous and Economic Community Relations will be devoted to helping grow and promote authentic, sustainable, and culturally rich First Nations, Metis and Inuit tourism experiences in Alberta that we want to share with the world.

Taking a holistic view of Alberta and the role the visitor economy plays in supporting the province both economically and culturally, our leader works collaboratively with a wide range of Indigenous stakeholders including Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA), community leaders, elected and non-elected, operators, & communities, as well with internal Travel Alberta leadership, to collectively drive economic and community development through a tourism focus.

Our leader will act as a liaison between Travel Alberta, ITA, our provincial partners and First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities throughout the province, as we work together to create sustainable, culturally relevant plans for community-led development. By building, maintaining, and leveraging strong relationships within Indigenous communities and partner organizations, this position directly engages in the organization’s objective to support the province’s goal of doubling its visitor economy by 2035.

Calling on a wealth of knowledge and expertise on First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures, organizations and communities, this position promotes Indigenous voices for Travel Alberta business and practices. This role enhances understanding of the interrelationship of public lands, forest management, fish and wildlife issues, traditional uses, and other areas of Indigenous concerns while also considering opportunities to elevate economic growth and development for Alberta.

Travel Alberta is dedicated to amplifying voices and perspectives in our province. Engaging with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities and organizations in meaningful ways is how we must move forward together to build better connections.

Key Accountabilities & Deliverables

Destination Development

• Engage and liaise with all individuals, communities, Nations, and organizations to provide meaningful engagement functions to garner input, ideas and challenges in support of to the Travel Alberta’s Tourism Development Zone implementation.
• Work with Travel Alberta’s internal team, external investors including the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF), financial institutions, the Government of Alberta, the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, and ITA to develop prospectus and proformas on potential new Indigenous community owned businesses in the tourism business sector.
• Attend and participate in community celebrations and events as required.

Consultation and Communication

• Liaise with all communities and organizations by developing productive working relationships and strategic alliances to ensure the constitutional rights of Indigenous people are protected and that Travel Alberta supports our commitment to partner with Alberta's Indigenous peoples in pursuit of reconciliation, inclusion, and opportunity.
• Build the relationships for the development of holistic policies and processes that strengthen their participation in the decision-making.
• Oversee policy advice to Travel Alberta’s executive and all team members and enhances the development of relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Encourage knowledge sharing within our organization while ensuring organizational alignment with respect to traditions, rights and authenticity.
• Proactively scan the market for best practices and trends in Indigenous Community Relations in tourism.
• Coordinate with the marketing and proposal teams to develop and maintain Indigenous participation and representation in procurement and socioeconomic plans.
• Represent Travel Alberta at appropriate industry and community functions to build and maintain positive business relationship.
• Help identify, track, and monitor opportunities, concerns, and emerging interests among Indigenous communities, as they pertain to Travel Alberta’s business objectives.
• Build ongoing communication strategies with Travel Alberta’s overall team to build awareness around Indigenous relations.
• Assist in achieving and reporting on reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI) goals and targets such as Indigenous employment, engagement, and contracting and procurement.

Who You Are:

• A minimum of 5-10 years direct related job experience with an Indigenous relations focus.
• Calls on a wealth of knowledge and expertise as a member of First Nations, Inuit and Metis cultures, organizations and communities.
• Promotes Indigenous voices for Travel Alberta business and practices.
• Has defined experience leading practices, policies, processes and evaluation tools.
• Being able to communicate in an Indigenous language is an asset.
• Demonstrates strong financial and business acumen in support of development and investment-specific opportunities in the tourism industry.
• Can share examples where they have found harmony in linking needs of community to expected business outcomes.
• Has advocated for funding needs in very competitive landscapes.
• Has a proven track record with leading initiatives from conceptualization to implementation.
• Can navigate rapidly changing political environments.
• Can build long term relationships and foster influence in a variety of spheres of decision and influence.
• Has demonstrated humility and patience during challenging situations.
• Is a self-starter who takes initiative and responsibility for decisions and accountability for outcomes.
• Can organize, moderate and facilitate strategic discussions, training, and collaborative opportunities across cultures, disciplines, and belief systems.
• Has the confidence to speak plainly, but the ability to listen and integrate different value systems and individual and community views.
• Understands and can articulate the intersectionality of culture, lands, connection, history, futures and economics as they pertain to tourism and broader economic development.
• Understands and appreciates the rights and obligations related to land among Provincial, Federal, and Indigenous governments.
• Has experience in supporting individual First Nations, Metis and Inuit entrepreneurs within their own communities (Settlements and Reserves) to ensure access and support for economic development.