Tlingit Arts Workshops (3 positions available)

POSITION TITLE: Tlingit Arts Workshops (4 positions available)    

DEPARTMENT: Culture Camp 

WAGE: Contract, $1000.00 per 5 day camp 

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ESC CODE: 

FUNDING SOURCE: Grant funded 

OPENING: June 6, 2025

CLOSING: June 16, 2025

Position Summary:

The Yakutat Tlingit Tribe seeks talented and culturally grounded artists to lead hands-on workshops at Culture Camp. Artists will teach traditional Tlingit art forms such as weaving, drum making, beading, regalia making, and formline design. Artists are more than instructors, they serve as cultural mentors, connecting youth to the deeper meanings of our songs, clan histories, art forms, and ways of life.

Workshops will blend technical skill-building with cultural teachings, emphasizing the importance of creativity, pride, clan identity, and cultural stewardship. Artists will work closely with camp staff to integrate Tlingit language use, protocols, and traditional practices into their sessions.

This role requires both artistic excellence and a commitment to uplifting the next generation through cultural transmission and mentorship.

Essential Functions:

• Design and lead hands-on workshops in a traditional Tlingit art form (e.g., weaving, drum making, beading, formline, regalia).


• Incorporate teachings about clan stories, cultural significance, and traditional protocols tied to the art form.


• Foster an inclusive, encouraging learning environment for youth of all ages and skill levels.


• Collaborate with Language and Protocol Leads to integrate Tlingit language into workshop activities.


• Provide mentorship and support to campers, helping them understand the role of arts in cultural identity and sovereignty.


• Maintain an organized, respectful, and safe workshop space.


• Assist in setup and clean-up of workshop areas before, during, and after sessions.


• Participate in opening, closing, and honoring ceremonies as part of the broader camp community.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Working with Tribal programs, education programs, or youth programs is preferred.


• Tlingit language fluency not required but preferred, needs to have a strong commitment to cultural learning.


• Culture of Yakutat and Southeast Tlingit clan structures, songs, protocols, and ceremonial practices.


• Safety protocols and hygiene standards and ability to follow them.


• The Tlingit History of Yakutat, Tlingit Arts and subsistence lifestyle is preferred but not required.


• Cultural knowledge of Tlingit practices, or willingness to learn and respectfully integrate traditional teachings into daily camp life.

Skill in:

• Strong written and oral communication.

• Organization and time management under dynamic conditions.


• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across multiple program areas.


• Dependability and a strong work ethic.


• Leadership, with the ability to guide and support young people respectfully.


• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.


• Strong interpersonal and people skills, including the ability to work with parents, youth, Elders, and staff in a respectful and welcoming manner.


• Problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.


• Self-motivated and dependable, able to work independently or collaboratively.

• Working well with

Ability to:

• Handle multiple tasks and work under short timeframes and attend to


• Ability to adapt activities to meet a range of developmental needs and interests of older youth.

• Serve as a positive role model.


• Mentor youth and support cultural identity building.


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• Model and reinforce respectful behavior, humility, and generosity throughout camp life.


• Be flexible, patient, and have a team-centered attitude.


• Comfortable working with youth of all ages and backgrounds.


• Provide support where needed and proactively offer support to instructors and leadership staff.

• Maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with care and professionalism.

• Flexibility to adapt to shifting schedules or needs during Culture Camp operations.


• Safely transport themselves to and from the Situk River camp site.

• Work independently with brief verbal instructions, as well as prioritize

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; or recurring lifting of moderately heavy items. The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities, such as above average agility and dexterity.   The employee must be able to read, write, speak and hear.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility:

This position has no formally assigned supervisory responsibility or authority.      

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.


• Must be 18 years of age or older.

• Demonstrated skill and experience in one or more traditional Tlingit art forms.


• Strong ability to teach and share cultural knowledge in an accessible, respectful way.


• Prior experience with cultural education, immersion camps, or ceremonial leadership is a plus.

• Must be able to pass a National Criminal and State background check.


• Must be able to pass a fingerprint based National Criminal Background Check.


• Valid Alaska Driver’s License.

Disclosures:

•  We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

• THE YAKUTAT TLINGIT TRIBE IS A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. THIS POSITION MAY BE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG TESTING AND CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK.  
  

• Preference will be given to qualified Yakutat Tlingit Tribal Member and/or Alaska Native candidates.

• NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE WILL BE APPLIED TO HIRING OF THIS POSITION AS DEFINED IN TITLE 25, US CODE, CHAPTER 14, SUBCHAPTER V, SUBSECTION 273 AND 274.  WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WITH PREFERENCE GIVEN TO QUALIFIED NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKA NATIVE APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW AND TRIBAL POLICY.