Event Marketing Specialist

Job Opportunity: Event Marketing Specialist: Canada Summer Jobs 8 Week Contract

Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group at St. Matthew’s United Church

Applicants must be between 16 and 30 and in between secondary and/or post-secondary semesters

Location: 729 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto

Start Date: Between May 4 and 19 We have requested that Service Canada allow a May 4 start date.

End Date: Between June 26 and July 10 (8 weeks from start date)

Hours and Days: 36 hours/week, flexible, with some evenings and weekends required

Hourly Rate: $17.60/hour

Background:

The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group (IPSG) functions as an ad-hoc, unincorporated community-based and volunteer-run organization founded in response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The group offers leadership in midtown Toronto and beyond in building balanced, just relationships with Indigenous people, the Land, the Water, and all living beings. The group is committed to creating space where Indigenous people, Teachings, and Ceremony are at the centre.

Since 2018, the IPSG has planned and implemented events ranging from small Ceremonial Gatherings to concerts and more for up to 250 people. An ambitious event to honour Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit History Month is planned for June 6, 2026. St. Matthew’s United Church & the IPSG-stewarded Noojimo’iwewin Gitigaan National Healing Forest Project will host the IPSG’s We Are All Water Protectors: Environmental Racism & Reimagining Water Stewardship Gathering. The Gathering includes Traditional Teaching Circles, the opening of a youth-led community art installation, Biinaagami: Our Shared Responsibility to the Great Lakes giant map, a keynote address, book sales and signings, displays by Indigenous and environmental organizations, a Feast, and an evening of songs and storytelling from the “breathing lands” on the western coast of James and Hudson’s Bay. We anticipate 200 or more will attend.

Smaller events in June include Summer Solstice and Pollinator Week activities. Early July includes a “We Are All Treaty People” celebration of Canada Day and “Una Tierra/One Land/Un Pueblo/One People” hospitality in Noojimo’iwewin Gitigaan during the Salsa on St. Clair Festival, which runs the weekend’s programming out of the church’s Community Hub.

Job Description:

Together with the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group Communications & Events Lead and other volunteers, the Event Marketing Specialist will:

• Assess characteristics of IPSG events to be promoted during Indigenous, Metis and Inuit History Month 2026 to determine marketing and advertising needs

• Develop strategies and related content for digital marketing and advertising campaigns and implement them

• Manage post-event analysis to measure and report on marketing and advertising metrics

• Develop and maintain social media accounts, including managing testimonials

• Develop, implement and evaluate public relations strategies and programs designed to inform the general public of Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group initiatives, and the We Are All Water Protectors Gathering in particular

• Conduct gentle public opinion and attitude surveys to identify the interests and concerns of the We Are All Water Protectors Gathering collaborators and event participants

• Arrange interviews, news conferences and other media events, as directed

• Assist in the preparation of reports, e-newsletter and social media content, presentations and other material

The Event Marketing Specialist will cultivate relationship-building, cooperative problem-solving, and consensus decision-making skills to complete tasks, resolve tensions, and celebrate accomplishments. Throughout, they will demonstrate flexible, authentic communication skills when working with people of all races, ethnicities, spiritualities, sexualities, gender expressions, abilities, ages, and socio-economic circumstances.

• The primary opportunity offered to the Event Marketing Specialist is a key role in bringing the vision for the We Are All Water Protectors: Environmental Racism and Re-imaging Water Stewardship Gathering to life. The Gathering leans into the 8th Principle for Reconciliation, Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: “Supporting Aboriginal peoples’ cultural revitalization and integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, oral histories, laws, protocols, and connections to the land into the reconciliation process.” Implementing this principle as part of the TRC’s vision of “a new way of living together” is framed for the purposes of this event as a reimagining of Water stewardship, since Water unites us all. Skills learned while assisting with this large event will be applied to smaller events later in Indigenous History Month and in early July.

Qualifications:

• Some post-secondary education in a related field such as Event Marketing, Public Relations, Indigenous Studies, Environmental Studies, or Community Outreach

• Some experience in event marketing and advertising, preferably in a multicultural; Indigenous, Metis or Inuit; or environmental protection context

• Interest in applying Anishinaabe frameworks to marketing, including holding different perspectives together in an intercultural and interfaith understanding

• Strong English-language writing skills, including digital content, press releases, and reports

• Strong digital communication skills, including creation and use of visuals and text

• Understanding of digital media metrics and other evaluation techniques

• Ability to self-organize—including managing schedule, timelines, and deadlines--to complete workplan together with volunteers, including comfort with use of technology for communications and supervisory purposes

• Confidence to share information orally with individuals and small groups, including starting conversations with strangers

• Respect for all faiths and spiritual practices

• Openness to people of diverse ages, races, ethnicities, gender expressions, sexualities, abilities, incomes, and life experiences

• Ability to speak and write Anishinaabemowin or Spanish an asset

The successful applicant will receive guidance and mentoring from the Elder-in-Residence as well as experienced event planners.

The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group and our Trustee, St. Matthew’s United Church, are committed to equity and social justice. We endeavor to remove barriers to employment that are faced by equity-seeking groups, particularly Indigenous persons, persons of color, LGBTQ2SIA+ persons, and persons with disabilities. We encourage (but do not require) members of these groups to self-identify as such in their cover ​​letters. We will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities upon request. If you are selected for an interview, please notify the hiring committee in advance of requirements for accommodation.

Please send cover letter and resume to Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group Communications & Events Lead Robin Buyers at buyersrobine@gmail.com by Monday noon, April 27, 2026.

Indigenous applicants will be prioritized for this position.

The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Group thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those invited to a zoom interview will be contacted.