Job  Board

Newhalen Tribal Council is seeking a dedicated Archival Technician to help build and steward the Newhalen Mukurtu Digital Heritage Archive. This full-time position supports the organization, digitization, cataloging, and long-term preservation of cultural materials—including audio and video recordings, photographs, documents, language resources, maps, oral histories, and environmental knowledge.Working under the guidance of the Newhalen Tribal Council, Elders, and project leadership, the Archival Technician will ensure materials are cared for according to community protocols and Indigenous data sovereignty principles. The role contributes directly to language revitalization, cultural preservation, and intergenerational knowledge sharing while recognizing that Indigenous knowledge remains the intellectual and cultural property of the Newhalen Tribal Council and its people.

Key Responsibilities

• Organize, catalog, and maintain digital and physical cultural heritage materials for inclusion in the Mukurtu Digital Heritage Archive.
• Digitize photographs, documents, audio, video, maps, and other materials following archival best practices.
• Create complete and consistent metadata records using OLAC metadata standards adapted for Mukurtu (including titles, creators/speakers, language information, dates, geographic locations, file formats, and descriptions).
• Apply community-defined cultural protocols, access permissions, and controlled vocabularies (including Indigenous place names and terminology).
• Support oral history and documentation work by processing Elder interviews, language documentation, transcripts, translations, and consent materials.
• Maintain inventories, track provenance and rights, and assist with grant reporting and archival workflows.
• Collaborate respectfully with Elders, language speakers, culture bearers, families, and community members.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Experience working with digital files and computer applications
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Respect for Alaska Native cultures, languages, and traditional knowledge
• Willingness to learn archival standards and Mukurtu software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with archives, libraries, museums, or records management
• Familiarity with Mukurtu CMS or experience creating metadata (OLAC, Dublin Core, or similar)
• Experience digitizing photographs, documents, audio, and video
• Knowledge of Alaska Native languages, particularly Lake Iliamna Yup’ik, Dena’ina, or related languages
• Experience working with Elders or cultural documentation projects
• Understanding of Indigenous Data Sovereignty, CARE Principles, OCAP®, or similar frameworks
• Experience with transcription/translation workflows or grant-funded cultural preservation projects

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter describing your relevant experience and interest in supporting Newhalen’s cultural preservation efforts to joannewassillie@newhalentribal.com.