Employment Opportunities

Job Status: Open

Hourly, Contract, Minimal Travel Required

Please submit Cover Letter, and Resume to  

Organization Description
The Survivors’ Secretariat was established in 2021 to organize and support efforts to uncover, document and share the truth about what happened at the Mohawk Institute during its 140+ years of operation.

Job Description
This summer employment opportunity will run for up to 16-weeks and is open to individuals 18 years or over. The field worker position is part of the Survivors’ Secretariat’s ground search efforts tied to the more than 600 acres of land associated with the Mohawk Institute.

Applications are sought from people from Six Nations of the Grand River, as well as people from the 60+ communities impacted by the Mohawk Institute.

Successful candidates will work under the supervision of the Program Coordinator and be involved in professional and cultural knowledge sessions with Survivors, The Human Rights Monitor, Cultural Monitors, and others involved in the work at the Mohawk Institute. 

Training will be provided on the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology, proper operation of the GPR machines and other archaeological methodologies. Training will also be provided specific to field search notes; including the creation and documentation of detailed notes attached to all field activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Work under the leadership and guidance of the Program Coordinator.
• Ensure that all components of the field notes are completed correctly after each grid’s completion and submitted to the immediate supervisor at the end of each day.
• Be available to work 8 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Occasional evening orweekend work may be required. Employees will be provided with ample notice and adjustments will be made to their schedule.
• Participate in mandatory training and professional development activities that will be spread across the program.
• Attend all scheduled team meetings and debrief sessions.
• Communicate with the immediate supervisor with respect to any concerns, emergencies, imminent weather, media inquiries, etc.
• Participate in 1:1 sessions with the immediate supervisor or wellness support, as requested and as needed.
• Additional duties as required by the Manager of Ground Search

Education And Experience

• Identify as an Intergenerational Survivor of the Mohawk Institute.
• Knowledge of the Indian Residential School System, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action and the history of the Mohawk Institute.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Strong planning, organizational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Access to regular transportation is required for this position.
• Available to work a flexible schedule, including some afternoons and weekends.

Physical & Mental Requirements

A successful candidate must be able to meet the physical demands required to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, employees will be regularly required to stand, walk, and use their hands to write, record, maneuver ground search tools and use IT tools to complete their work. Employees are required to walk, stoop, kneel, climb, carry, push, and pull the ground search tools and technologies. The nature of this work calls for repetitive wrist, hand, and overall body movements. Ground Search team members will be required to lift and/or move objects up to 40 lbs. Hearing, seeing ability and rapid mental coordination are critical to this role.

This position may work at various locations within Six Nations and the immediate vicinity. Some locations lack shade and employees may be subject to prolonged periods in the sun. There is potential to be exposed to emotionally difficult circumstances, however, the ground search work is a key part of the Secretariat’s work to bring the children home.

The Secretariat will have cultural, and spiritual wellness supports embedded in the summer program for all employees. Additional skill and culture-based training opportunities will be part of the program.

A successful candidate must be able to meet the physical demands required to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, employees will be regularly required to stand, walk, and use their hands to write, record, maneuver ground search tools and use IT tools to complete their work. Employees are required to walk, stoop, kneel, climb, carry, push and pull the ground search tools and technologies. The nature of this work calls for repetitive wrist, hand, and overall body movements. Ground Search team members will be required to lift and/or move objects up to 40 lbs. Hearing, seeing ability and rapid mental coordination are critical to this role.

This position may work at various locations within Six Nations and the immediate vicinity. Some locations lack shade and employees may be subject to prolonged periods in the sun. There is potential to be exposed to emotionally difficult circumstances, however, the ground search work is a key part of the Secretariat’s work to bring the children home.

The Secretariat will have cultural, and spiritual wellness supports embedded in the summer program for all employees. Additional skill and culture-based training opportunities will be part of the program.

Successful candidates will be called on to engage in an ongoing process tied to physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological self-care and awareness training. The Secretariat is anchored in a trauma-informed approach that necessitates our employees take an active learning and knowing journey tied to the history of the Indian Residential School system, its impacts and legacy within our nations, communities, and families. The truth of this history is painful, and we are committed to be part of the healing journey that begins with our employees and extends into the work we do with Survivors, their families and the more than 60 communities who had their children taken and sent to the Mohawk Institute Indian Residential School.

Please send resume to no later than 4:00 pm EST on Tuesday May 27th, 2025.

View the Job Description