Job Description

Cultural Resource Trainer

The Yukon Flats region, in northeastern Alaska, is home to remote Gwich’in villages including Birch Creek, Beaver, Stevens Village, and Fort Yukon. The Cultural Resource Trainer will design and deliver training programs to foster cultural awareness, sensitivity, and competence. Focus should be on Alaska Native cultures, emphasizing Indigenous perspectives, traditions, and ways of life to promote respectful interactions while performing work the Yukon Flats region.

This position is intended to bridge the gap between outsiders (e.g., Hilcorp employees and contractors) and the Yukon Flats communities. The Cultural Resource Trainer should:

• Focus on Gwich’in values (e.g., respect for Elders, communal decision-making, storytelling).
• Address historical trauma (e.g., colonization, boarding schools)
• Incorporate local resources and organizations as needed (e.g. Alaska Native Heritage Center, Doyon Ltd., Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge etc.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Cultural Education and Awareness

• Educate on the cultural heritage, traditions, and histories of local Alaska Native communities
• Cover local customs, communication styles, subsistence practices, and spiritual beliefs.
• Highlight regional differences among Alaska Natives.

Training Design and Delivery

• Develop tailored programs for Hilcorp employees and contractors.
• Use workshops, virtual sessions, or immersive experiences as appropriate.
• Incorporate interactive activities like storytelling, or discussions with Elders.
• Example training activities include:
  • Workshops: Half-day session on Gwich’in communication norms.
  • Immersion Experiences: Guided day-to-day life experiences.
  • Storytelling Sessions: Elders sharing oral histories.

Community Engagement

• Collaborate with Elders, community leaders, and Native organizations
• Facilitate connections through activities like village tours, gatherings, or traditional food sharing.

Promoting Cultural Humility

• Teach cultural humility, encouraging self-reflection and openness to Indigenous ways of knowing.
• Address stereotypes or biases using real-world scenarios.

Supporting Workplace Integration

• Assist Hilcorp in aligning policies with community values.
• Provide ongoing resources like refresher courses or materials as needed.

Adapting to Remote Settings

• Adapt to logistical challenges (e.g., limited internet, travel constraints) with flexible formats.
• Teach practical skills like understanding environmental knowledge or community-paced decision-making.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge : Deep understanding of Alaska Native cultures, ideally with Yukon Flats experience.
• Experience : Work with Indigenous communities, facilitation skills, adult learning principles.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Navigate cross-cultural settings with humility, often through partnerships with Elders.
• Adaptability : Comfort in remote areas with limited infrastructure.

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