The First Alaskans Institute (FAI) is a statewide Alaska Native nonprofit focused on advancing Alaska Native ways of life, ensuring Alaska Native peoples are involved in decision-making at all levels and cultivating leadership from birth to Ancestor. We serve as a catalyst, convener and collaborator on issues impacting all Alaska Natives through hosting dialogues and gatherings on a diverse range of topics across our state. As a small organization with a dynamic scope of work, our values-driven commitment to serving our community is inherent in all we do, including walking our talk by continually Indigenizing the management and operations of our work. All of our work is done using the guiding principles set forth by our five strategic priorities: • Advancing Self-Determination • Advancing our Ways of Life • Knowing, Living and Loving Who We Are • Shaping the Knowledge that Informs Alaskans • Being Good Relatives

FAI provides medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families with some employee cost share; 401k plan with a 4% match and a 6-month eligibility period; tiered personal leave based on years of employment; 12 paid holidays; life insurance, short and long-term disability, and an annual Indigenous language learning benefit. 

How to Apply: Submit the following current information to info@firstalaskans.org: -Letter of Interest -Professional Resumé -Two professional reference letters -Contact information for two personal reference different than the professional references. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Salary:$20.00 - $26.00 Non-exempt; hourly

Job Summary: 

The Gyedm si ndzox (“person that makes camp” in Sm’algyax, the language of the Ts’msyen people) position works closely with the Indigenous Leadership Continuum Director (ILC). This position is inspired by the detailed planning, gathering, support, and decisions that must be made when our Alaska Native people go to camp to gather and process food that will sustain our families and communities, as well as the other labor intensive work that must be done to coordinate our community traditions that bring our people together to celebrate our ways of life. This position will host gatherings, maintain relationships and connections with our participants, and support programs that catalyze and fortify the life-long leadership of our people guided by our Native ways of being, diverse cultures, languages, and ways of knowing. A core ILC operational principle the Gyedm si ndzox helps operationalize is that we walk alongside our people, and from a rites of passage approach, help to uplift, amplify, and strengthen their inherent leadership that comes from our collective responsibility to this place and each other.  

A successful Gyedm si ndzox will be an auntie- or uncle-like person that loves supporting others, brings good energy and creativity into providing a welcoming environment, connects one-on-one with individuals as well as with large groups, shares knowledge and constructive feedback, role models Indigenous values, and is interested in learning and promoting our ways of life. This is an excellent role for a person who enjoys meeting new people, nurturing ongoing relationships with alumni and organizations, has a keen eye for detail and enjoys administrative responsibilities. Critical to this position is a strong foundation in community development, event planning, a high level of efficiency, autonomy and follow-through, while being able to effectively contribute to a dynamic team focused on advancing our Native community. This position requires adaptability and foresight to develop, manage, and implement ILC programs and create new ways of serving our community with a good attitude and love of our peoples.  

We look to the Gyedm si ndzox to uplift our ways of life and show love to our community while efficiently completing tasks to maintain our programming efforts. Essential to our team approach is finding members who are the right fit and bring the flexibility, capacity, passion and experience necessary to contribute to the work we are honored to do for our Native community. All FAI staff members are expected to grow their understanding of and advocacy for our Native peoples, including addressing social justice issues that face our communities, intergenerational trauma and healing, and uplifting our relationships, cultures, and languages. The Gyedm si ndzox must have reliable access to a personal cell phone and internet in order to effectively work remotely and/or in person. 

The successful applicant for this position does not need to reside in Anchorage, FAI encourages statewide applicants.

Visit: https://firstalaskans.org/newsroom/position-description-gyedm-si-ndzox/ to view the full description.