Culture Director - Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a 'Service Delivery Area' comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational and cultural services.

The Culture Director will be responsible for daily operations and direct supervision of the office of cultural affairs, focusing on expansion of services available to Tribal members. The Culture Director will evaluate, create, and direct projects in conjunction with the cultural needs of tribal members. This individual will oversee all departmental aspects including Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), archives, Language, and public relations.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Promote Tribal and cultural heritage while ensuring the successful operation and implementation of the mission, vision, and strategic goals, and objectives of the Cultural Affairs program in partnership with the Deputy Director of Tribal Affairs.
2. Develop and submit monthly reports to the Deputy Director of Tribal Affairs and CEO of Tribal Affairs outlining program goals, objectives, priorities, and achievements. .
3. Establish and recommend strategic actions to protect, maintain and promote the cultural resources of the Tribe.
4. Drive professional development of assigned staff that contributes to the Cultural Affairs division focused on relationship development, and promoting culture, traditions, and customs for all Tribal members.
5. Encourage open communication between members, staff, executive leadership, and Tribal government to ensure the needs of all Tribal members are being met consistently and equitably.
6. Promote cultural sensitivity and awareness, and conduct training and outreach to staff, tribal members, committees, boards, Tribal entities, and community partners to educate and maintain cultural appropriateness in day-to-day operations.
7. Prepare and implement the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Culture and Language revitalization plan and oversee the department's progress and staffing responsibility in implementing the plan.
8. Plan collaboration efforts with internal departments, entities, and external public and non-profit agencies to raise awareness, advocate for, and promote the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska's culture, as appropriate.
9. Foster and maintain active government ties and coordination with other tribes and local, state, national and international agencies on matters of cultural resources, policies and practices as appropriate.
10. Inform the Tribal council, appropriate Tribal committees and appropriate Tribal departments of oversight activities involving relevant cultural resource protection and management policies, procedures, laws, negotiated rulemaking comments, cultural resource projects and interdepartmental cooperative efforts as appropriate.
11. Assist and oversee educational efforts regarding the Tribe's cultural resources both in and outside of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska SDA coordination with other departments as needed.
12. Advise and inform the DDTA, CEO of Tribal Affairs and Tribal council of strategic actions pertaining to cultural resource management matters, including policies and laws, repatriation issues, land developments, historical sources and other opportunities involving cultural resource management.
13. Establish and implement traditional and contemporary principles of cultural resource management and practices applicable to the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
14. Develop, manage, and direct preparation of budgets related to all divisions housed under Cultural Affairs, and account for all resources purchased or procured through Cultural Affairs funding.
15. Responsibility to expend, authorize, and commit funds deemed necessary to the operation of the Cultural department subject to the approved annual budget.
16. Negotiate and implement contracts relevant to Cultural Affairs program and assigned divisions.
17. Effectively communicate with the Tribal community, government agencies, universities, museums etc.
18. Establish and maintain effective, collaborative relationships with prospective stakeholders and constituencies pertaining to inadvertent discoveries of cultural sites and resources within Ponca ancestral lands.
19. Prepare and present professional trainings, workshops, panels, presentations, handbooks, handouts and newsletters.
20. In coordination with Grants Department, seek opportunities for federal, state, local and private grants which may assist the Tribe in advancing departmental goals and objectives. File required reports, budget modifications, no cost extensions, and complete audit requirements with appropriate funding agencies.
21. To provide for the needs of Native/Ponca youth through development and implementation of culturally significant training programs addressing cultural and spiritual topics.
22. Research the history, culture, tradition, language and other activities of the Ponca Tribe and understand to a level to represent the PTN as an expert.
23. Oversee the Language Program Coordinator and manage all facets of language revitalization initiatives for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.
24. Other duties as assigned.

Relationships and Authority:

This position has supervisory authority over Cultural Affairs Department and serves as a Cultural advisor to multiple Committees and Boards appointed by Tribal Council. This position works closely with all Tribal departments including those housed under Tribal Affairs and Ponca Health Services, other Tribal entities, boards, committees, as well as external organizations and agencies.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

This position is in a professional office environment. This position requires frequent verbal and written communication including face-to-face, virtual, and telephone interactions.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, scanners, and photocopiers. This staff will sit, stand, bend, lift, and move intermittently during work hours. This position will be subject to potentially emotionally disturbing material as presented to staff, clients, and outside entities.

This position will be required to work outside normal business hours to include evenings and weekends.

Extensive travel throughout the Ponca Service Delivery Area will be required.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

1. Bachelor's degree in Native American studies, history or related field or an equivalent of experience and education.
2. Four years experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
3. Knowledge of Native American history, culture and related federally related programs.
4. Two years of management and supervisory experience.
5. Two years of grant and budget management.
6. Two years of procurement administration.
7. Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel programs.
8. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
9. Valid driver's license and be insurable.
10. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
11. Able and willing to travel.

Preferred:

1. Master's degree in Native American studies, history or related field.
2. Knowledge of Ponca Tribe history, culture, traditions and language.
3. One year of experience of NAGPRA and cultural preservation experience.
4. One year of experience of museum and archive experience.
5. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638: Indian Self-Determination Act.

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe. However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

Tribal Council Approval: 01/07/2025