Are you looking for a unique opportunity? Have you been wanting to put your talent in Indigenous Governance, Government Relations, Finance, Leading Indigenous Organizations or Communications & Business Development in the service of a great cause?

Well, look no further! If you are committed to building networks of solidarity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth as well as fostering honest dialogue around reconciliation, we are looking for you!

What is CRE?

CRE is a national Indigenous charity founded by university students, and over the past decade, we have convened tens of thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth for dialogue, understanding, and relationship building. Our mission is to empower young people to be changemakers in their community and work towards achieving truth and reconciliation in their lifetime. A vision of a reconciled Canada is only possible through collective action and impact, so CRE’s contribution to this goal is programming centred on 1) self-determination, 2) resilience, and 3) capacity building. Now, we are embarking on a 10-year goal of becoming the leading funder of Indigenous and reconciliation-focused youth programming in the country.

Quick Facts and Figures

• 2 offices in Toronto and Ottawa
• Over 50 full-time and part-time staff across Canada
• $8 million annual budget
• Annual engagement of over 11,000 participants 
• National economic impact of $13.7 million 

What have we been up to?

• Grew to become one of the largest national Indigenous charities in the country in 2019
• Produced the Canadian Youth Reconciliation Barometer alongside Environics Institute and the Mastercard Foundation in June 2019, which is a social research study intended to establish benchmark indicators for the state of reconciliation among the country’s youth 
• Hosted a 500 attendee 3-day national gathering in Montreal, QC in February 2020 
• Launched a handful of new programs in 2019/2020, including an Indigenous Youth Policy School and a 4-year Peer program to advance the personal and professional capacity of Indigenous youth

How did COVID affect us? 

Our programs ceased in-person activities and pivoted to online delivery where possible, and our staff switched to a remote work environment. In response to the pandemic, we launched the CREation Community Support Fund (CCSF), which was recently named by Future of Good as one of the Top 100 Recovery Projects in Canada. 

Duties and Responsibilities

CRE’s Board of Directors are volunteers who lead the organization and ensure that our work is impactful and accountable to our external stakeholders. Additional duties and responsibilities are to:

1. Attend bi-monthly board meetings (by video-conferencing)
2. Provide proper governance and oversight to CRE through the review and implementation of strategic plans, operational policies, annual budgets, and program charters
3. Participate in a board committee (Audit and Finance, Community Advisory Circle, Fundraising, and Governance and Human Resources) 
4. Act as an official representative of CRE
5. Listen to stakeholders to ensure that the work of CRE responds to the needs of the communities we work with
6. Foster a healthy organizational environment
7. Comply with CRE’s legal obligations, code of ethics, bylaws, articles, and policies
8. Uphold CRE’s mission, vision, and values in your leadership and conduct
9. Participate in CRE programming when possible
10. Provide guidance and support to the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

Please note that the Board of Directors is voluntary and serve without remuneration.

Who are we looking for?

We believe in a Board of Directors that reflects the composition of our staff and the communities that we work with, so our priorities are individuals who identify as First Nations, Métis, Inuit, People of Colour, and/or 2SLGBTQIA+. 

Based on the skills and competencies of our current board members and staff, we are recruiting board members with backgrounds in the following areas:

• Communications
• Business Development
• Finance
• Human Resources
• Government Relations
• Indigenous Governance
• Leading Indigenous Organizations

Requirements

Prospective board members must share our values, believe that youth are the key to healing and reconciling Canada, and bring a strong understanding of the issues pertaining to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Additionally, they must commit to the following:

• That they are, at least, 18 years of age and bondable;
• Willing to attend bimonthly meetings and commit 7-10 hours a month to Board work; and
• Willing to hold a 36 month renewable term.

Why get involved?

• Give back to your community and support youth
• Support truth, reconciliation, and decolonization in Canada
• Leadership experience in an organization with a national impact
• Gain or sharpen your executive-level decision making and leadership skills
• Build your network
• Advance your career
• Have fun and change lives

Recruitment Process

You can submit your expression of interest through this form(now closed). No cover letter is necessary because our application form asks 4 questions. Selected candidates will be interviewed in mid-February to early-March for a start date in April.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole Maxwell (nicole@canadianroots.ca). All information you share is confidential to the interview committee.