Our land needs people to watch over it. The Naskapi Nation is hiring two Land Guardians to help occupy, monitor, and care for our traditional territory, Nuchimiyuschiiy. This is land-based work: environmental monitoring, cultural stewardship, and being our Nation’s eyes and presence out on the territory.
About the role
Land Guardians are representatives of the Naskapi Nation on the land. Through what they see, the data they gather, and what they bring back to leadership and community, they provide the grounded, timely information that helps our Nation make good decisions about stewardship, land use, and development.
The work balances technical fieldwork with cultural responsibility. That includes learning from our Elders, supporting knowledge sharing, and strengthening the connections between generations. The role is supervised by the Director General.
Key details
- Employer: Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach
- Positions: Two full-time positions, one junior and one senior
- Location: Kawawachikamach, Quebec
- Schedule: 35 hours per week
- Salary: As per the Nation’s Salary Scale
- Start date: August 2026
What we are looking for
Every Land Guardian should:
- Have a strong connection to the Naskapi Nation, or a strong understanding of the territory and land use practices
- Be able and willing to spend extended time on the land in varying weather and conditions
- Have basic knowledge of land-based travel, safety, and survival practices, or the willingness to learn
- Show strong observation skills and attention to detail
- Be able to work independently and as part of a team
- Show respect for cultural knowledge, community protocols, and confidentiality
- Hold a valid driver’s license
- Be willing and able to complete required training, such as first aid certification
It is an asset, but not required, to also have:
- Experience with environmental or wildlife monitoring
- Familiarity with GPS, mapping tools, or digital data collection
- Knowledge of the Naskapi language
- Experience working with Elders, youth, or community groups
- Previous environmental monitoring training, such as BEAHR
What you would do
Land monitoring and stewardship
- Patrol the territory regularly to observe environmental conditions and land use
- Work with the Naskapi Wildlife Protection Program to monitor wildlife presence, movement, and health
- Observe and document water, soil, air, and seasonal conditions such as snow, ice, and weather patterns
- Identify and report changes tied to natural processes or development activities
- Monitor the condition and use of camps, cabins, and other land-based infrastructure
Cultural site awareness and protection
- Observe and help safeguard culturally significant sites, including harvesting areas, medicine sites, and places of cultural importance
- Follow community protocols for handling and sharing sensitive cultural information
- Support respectful documentation where appropriate
Data collection and reporting
- Record field observations using established tools: logs, GPS, photos, and digital systems
- Contribute to patrol logs, activity summaries, and monitoring reports
- Provide clear, timely information to program leadership and the Chief and Council
- Support reporting for partners and funders as needed
Community engagement and communication
- Engage respectfully with Elders, land users, youth, and community members
- Share information through community meetings, events, or informal conversations
- Act as an ambassador of the program with the public, land users, and outside parties
- Support communication efforts such as updates, storytelling, visuals, and maps
Learning and capacity building
- Take part in training, including safety, environmental monitoring, and cultural learning
- Learn from Elders and experienced land users through land-based mentorship
- Contribute to knowledge sharing and intergenerational learning
- Support youth engagement and mentorship when possible
How to apply
Please submit a short letter or statement explaining your interest in the position, along with a resume, by no later than Friday, August 14, 2026.
Send all applications to the Naskapi Human Resources department at hr@naskapi.ca.
For questions, please contact:
Stella Pien, Nation Office
Phone: (418) 585-2686 ext. 252
Email: stellapien@naskapi.ca