BNLEK Community Liaison - UBC, Merritt, BC

AI Summary

The BNLEK Community Liaison & Instructor Coordinator at UBC's Merritt, BC site organizes crucial instructional interactions for the Bachelor of Nłeʔkepmx Language Fluency program. This role manages vital community partnerships and provides comprehensive support to students. Key duties include facilitating internships, capstone projects, and fostering language revitalization efforts. Candidates require an undergraduate degree, three to four years of relevant experience, and lived experience within an Interior Salishan language community.

About the BNLEK Program and Role

The Bachelor of Nłeʔkepmx Language Fluency (BNLEK) program at UBC is deeply rooted in fostering Indigenous language revitalization through immersive educational experiences. This pivotal BNLEK Community Liaison & Instructor Coordinator position is instrumental in orchestrating the intricate instructional interactions between our students and the invaluable community stakeholders. These engagements span a variety of formats, including structured courses, practical internships, and culminating capstone projects, all designed to actively involve community members and institutions. The coordinator will manage key contributors such as first language speaking mentors, community organizations partnered with the program, and both current and alumni students, alongside academic and other UBC faculty and staff. The role demands significant initiative and autonomy, working under the general supervision of the Head of Community, Culture, and Global Studies, while collaborating closely with the BNLEK faculty member and other Indigenous Studies faculty. This ensures a cohesive and culturally responsive educational program.

Key Responsibilities and Student Support

A primary responsibility of this role involves extensive community outreach, developing and sustaining robust relationships with external partners like the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), Tribal Councils, and First Nations Bands. This collaboration is crucial for facilitating student admissions, scholarship opportunities, and the successful execution of projects and internships. The coordinator actively promotes internship and capstone project opportunities within the community, guiding students through these processes to ensure successful project completion and student retention within the BNLEK program. Furthermore, the position provides essential program support by establishing and managing formal internship and capstone project agreements, overseeing all administrative facets, and maintaining comprehensive databases for continuous improvement. Ensuring respect for Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ communication, information, and intellectual property sharing protocols is paramount. The role also organizes and supports first language speaking mentors and elders, facilitating their effective participation in language instruction and ensuring appropriate remuneration for their vital community inputs. Direct student support includes providing advice to students with respect to community engagement activities, collaborating with student support staff and academic advisors to facilitate student success, and identifying language learning materials. This comprehensive approach ensures a rich and supportive learning experience for all students.

Qualifications and Impact

Candidates for this significant role must possess an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, coupled with three to four years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Crucially, lived experience within an Interior Salishan language community is a mandatory requirement, reflecting the deep cultural connection inherent in the BNLEK program. While not strictly required, prior knowledge of an Interior Salishan language, particularly Nłeʔkepmx, is highly preferred, as is a Master's degree or equivalent experience, which may include Nłeʔkepmx language fluency and extensive community experience. Formal or informal experience in language revitalization activities and coordinating adult language training at the community level is also essential. The ability to conduct respectful consultation and collaboration with Indigenous communities is vital, as errors in judgment could severely damage the university's reputation and the success of the program. This position plays a critical role in the ongoing development and growth of the BNLEK program and broader Interior Salishan Indigenous Language Fluency Initiatives, making a lasting impact on language preservation and student educational experience.