Museum Programs: Historic Mackinac, American Indian Interpreter

Museum Programs:
Historic Downtown Mackinac, American Indian Interpreter

Home / Museum Programs:
Historic Downtown Mackinac, American Indian Interpreter

Department: Museum Programs
Locations: Historic Downtown Mackinac, Mackinac Island
Start/End Date: Early June through August, approximately 15 weeks
Pay Rate: Starting at $14.00/hr

This position serves visitors to Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) by working as a historic interpreter at the Biddle House, featuring the Mackinac Island Native American Museum, on Mackinac Island. This position is responsible for interpreting the history of Native Americans on Mackinac Island during the early 19th century.

Historic Downtown Mackinac:

• Put visitors to our sites on Mackinac Island and other MSHP site first by treating them with respect, serving their needs, and providing an enjoyable and educational experience.
• Present formal daily programs focusing on the Anishnaabek of northern Michigan, the 1836 Treaty of Washington, and merchants on Mackinac Island in the early 19th century.
• Present informal interpretive programs about Mackinac Island in the 1820s and 1830s focusing on Indigenous treaty rights and negotiations and other appropriate topics at the Biddle House.
• Wear and interpret recreates clothing and accouterments that reflect the appearance of Odawa or Ojibwa peoples in the 1830s.
• Present formal and informal interpretative programs about the history and traditions of the Odawa and Ojibwa, including their role in the Great Lakes fur trade, their relationship with Europeans, their technology, material culture, foodways, and their social structures.
• Help demonstrate the diverse community of Mackinac Island and the role of blended families, like the Biddle’s, in the 1830s.
• Help maintain the Biddle House garden, kitchen tools, supplies, chop firewood, laundry, tools, and equipment.
• Participate in other regularly scheduled interpretive presentations and special events as required.

• Must have an interest in public history and historical interpretation and be dedicated to public engagement and education.
• Must be outgoing, enthusiastic, self‑motivated, and have strong public speaking skills.
• Must have an interest in the interpretation of Native American traditions and history.
• Membership in a federally recognized upper Great Lakes Odawa or Ojibwa tribal band is strongly preferred but is not a requirement of employment.
• Experience with, or interest in, learning historic interpretation, historically appropriate traditions such as quillwork, beadwork, leather work, birchbark construction, stone and wood carving, fish net making, gardening, and cooking are recommended.
• Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and be able to verbally communicate with visitors and coworkers.
• Must be able to work at the assigned position length. Positions range from approximately 15 weeks, from early June to late August.

This is a full‑time seasonal position, which typically works 40 hours per week for approximately 15 weeks. The workstation for this position is Historic Downtown Mackinac on Mackinac Island, although the employee may be required to work at other MSHP park sites. The position is based both indoors in historic structures and outdoors on site. Work schedules are posted in advance and are subject to change depending on park operational needs.

The employee must be willing to work independently and may be asked to work evenings, holidays, and/or weekends as park needs dictate.

Stretching and bending are moves commonly made throughout the day by employees in this position. The employee must have the ability to do the following activities, with or without reasonable accommodation: frequent lifting, carrying, transporting, loading and unloading of supplies, walking long distances and on rough terrain, frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching and grasping, sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, and ability to utilize ferry boat transportation to and from Mackinac Island.

The employee will be required to wear a historic costume or a uniform as required while…