Director of Cultural Preservation

Job Description

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability status in employment. Individuals of Indian ancestry will be given preference by law in initial employment or re-employment.

Position Purpose:

The Director of Cultural Preservation manages the day-to-day operations of the Cultural Preservation Department and leads programs that promote and sustain Peoria Tribal language, cultural knowledge, traditions, and community participation. The position oversees department staff, goals, budgets, and cultural education activities for Tribal members.

The Director of Cultural Preservation is responsible for the planning, development, administration, and oversight of the Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Department. The Director provides leadership in protecting, preserving, revitalizing, and promoting the Tribe’s cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, language, sacred sites, historical resources, and cultural identity for present and future generations. This position works under the active supervision of the Tribal Administrator and in coordination with Tribal leadership, Elders, cultural knowledge holders, Tribal departments, and appropriate federal, state, and local agencies. The Director shall ensure that all cultural preservation activities respect Tribal sovereignty, cultural protocols, confidentiality, and the Tribe’s traditions and values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Department Leadership and Administration

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate all activities of the Cultural Preservation Department.
• Develop departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and annual work plans.
• Prepare and administer departmental budgets.
• Provide regular reports to the Tribal Administrator and Tribal leadership.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Tribal laws, policies, grant requirements, and federal regulations.
• Coordinate with other Tribal departments to support cultural preservation initiatives. Develop and implement annual department goals, objectives, program plans, and budgets.
• Manage daily department operations, expenditures, scheduling, and administrative correspondence related to cultural programs.
• Supervise Cultural Preservation staff, assign work, monitor performance, and support staff development.
• Plan, organize, and schedule language classes, cultural workshops, and other cultural education activities for Tribal members.
• Work with Tribal Elders, language speakers, and Tribal members to develop educational resources and share cultural knowledge with their permission.
• Promote intergenerational learning and Tribal member participation in language and cultural programs.
• Oversee the development and use of cultural education materials that reflect Peoria traditions and respect appropriate cultural protocols.
• Maintain department administrative records, program schedules, participation records, and budget documentation.
• Evaluate cultural programs and provide updates on department activities, goals, and budget needs to the Tribal Administrator.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of department administration, language preservation, and cultural education.

2. Cultural Heritage Preservation

• Develop and implement programs to preserve the Tribe’s history, traditions, customs, ceremonies, and cultural practices.
• Work with Tribal Elders and cultural knowledge holders to document and preserve historical and traditional knowledge when culturally appropriate and authorized.
• Support the preservation of traditional arts, crafts, storytelling, songs, and other cultural expressions.
• Establish procedures for the protection, proper handling, and authorized access to culturally sensitive information and materials.
• Promote the transmission of cultural knowledge to younger generations.

3. Historic Preservation and Sacred Sites Protection

• Coordinate Tribal historic preservation activities, including responsibilities assigned to the Tribe’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO), if applicable.
• Assist in identifying, documenting, and protecting historic properties, archaeological sites, burial grounds, and sacred places.
• Coordinate consultation with federal and state agencies regarding projects that may affect Tribal cultural resources.
• Support Tribal participation in consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Assist in matters involving the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), as applicable.
• Maintain appropriate records and protect confidential information concerning sensitive cultural and sacred sites.
• Advocate for the protection of Tribal cultural resources consistent with Tribal law and leadership directives.

4. Language Preservation and Cultural Education

• Develop or support Tribal language preservation and revitalization initiatives.
• Coordinate cultural education programs, workshops, community events, and youth activities.
• Work with Tribal schools, education programs, Elders, and community members to promote cultural learning.
• Support the development of culturally appropriate educational materials.
• Encourage intergenerational participation in cultural preservation activities.

5. Grants, Budgets, and Program Development

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities supporting cultural and historic preservation.
• Prepare or coordinate grant applications, budgets, reports, and required documentation.
• Monitor grant expenditures and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Develop long-term strategies for sustaining cultural preservation programs.
• Maintain accurate departmental financial and program records.

6. Community and Intergovernmental Relations

• Serve as a departmental representative in meetings with Tribal leadership, community members, and outside agencies, as authorized.
• Establish professional relationships with museums, universities, historical organizations, and governmental agencies.
• Coordinate repatriation efforts involving Tribal ancestors, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony, subject to Tribal authorization.
• Facilitate appropriate consultation with Tribal Elders and cultural authorities.
• Represent the Tribe’s cultural preservation interests within the authority delegated by Tribal leadership.

7. Policy Development and Cultural Protection

• Recommend policies and procedures for protecting Tribal cultural resources.
• Develop protocols governing cultural documentation, research, access, confidentiality, and information sharing.
• Ensure that outside researchers and organizations comply with applicable Tribal requirements and approvals.
• Safeguard culturally sensitive information against unauthorized disclosure.
• Respect the authority of Tribal leadership, traditional cultural authorities, and established Tribal protocols.