Culture Camp Core Instructor (7 positions available)

Yakutat Tlingit Tribe•Yakutat, WA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Core Instructors, also called Camp Counselors, serve as mentors, role models, and leaders for campers aged 11–17. These instructors lead daily activities, support cultural workshops, and guide youth through the camp schedule with an emphasis on leadership development, cultural learning, and building strong peer relationships. Instructors work closely with artists, language leads, and cultural educators to integrate Tlingit language, values, and protocols into every aspect of camp life. They provide supervision, encouragement, and mentorship to youth as they participate in traditional arts, food gathering, outdoor skills, leadership activities, and daily cultural practices. This role requires maturity, patience, and a strong ability to connect with teenagers in a culturally grounded and respectful way.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Experience working with teens or youth in an educational, recreational, mentorship, or cultural program setting.
Must be able to pass a National Criminal and State background check.
This position has been designated as having regular contact or control over Indian children and will require an additional FBI criminal background check.
Valid Alaska Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Ensuring that the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe’s Culture Camp is deeply rooted in Tlingit language, customs, and ceremonial practices.
Mentor and encourage youth, fostering self-confidence, teamwork, and respect.
Encourage the integration of daily Yakutat Tlingit language immersion, clan protocol teachings, and cultural etiquette across all camp activities.
Monitor camper well-being and ensure a safe and supportive environment, addressing minor conflicts or challenges with guidance and care.
Artists will teach traditional Tlingit art forms such as weaving, drum making, beading, regalia making, and formline design.
Workshops will blend technical skill-building with cultural teachings, emphasizing the importance of creativity, pride, clan identity, and cultural stewardship.
Design and lead hands-on workshops in a traditional Tlingit art form (e.g., weaving, drum making, beading, formline, regalia).
Support and assist guest instructors, artists, and camp leadership during workshops and special events.
Offer language instruction, lead cultural reminders before and during workshops, and support the ceremonial flow of camp events such as openings, closings, honoring, and transitions between activities.
Help with daily camp set-up, clean-up, and preparation for activities.
Participate in camp planning sessions, orientation, and final camp clean-up.
Model Tlingit values such as respect, responsibility, humility, and reciprocity in all interactions with campers and staff.
Mandatory Reporter.
Performs other duties as assigned.