Cultural Coordinator

Timmins; Timmins; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP Pension Plan

Paid time off

Flexible working hours

Dental care

Vision care

Job summary

Wakenagun Youth Healing Lodge is seeking a Cultural Coordinator to develop and deliver an innovative cultural program for clients during treatment. You will provide traditional teachings, coordinate Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and promote cultural safety and competency.

The role involves leading ceremonies, smudging, and land-based activities while collaborating with staff to support client success and reconciliation within the community.

Qualifications

• Exceptional knowledge of Anishinaabe culture and protocols.
• Experience working with Elders and traditional knowledge keepers.
• Ability to teach and learn Anishinaabe language with youth.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and travel if needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver cultural programs and knowledge transfer.
• Assist with ceremonies, smudging, and traditional healing.
• Provide Anishinaabe language instruction and ceremony participation.
• Coordinate Elders and Knowledge Keepers for programming.
• Promote cultural safety, competency, and reconciliation.

Skills

Anishinaabe culture

Elder access

Ceremonies facilitation

Workshop facilitation

Strong communication

Education

Post-secondary education

Job description

The Cultural Coordinator will coordinate and support cultural knowledge transfer and planning within Wakenagun Youth Healing Lodge. The Cultural Coordinator will be responsible for the development and delivery of an innovative and engaging cultural program to help connect and support client success. As the Cultural Coordinator, you will provide traditional teachings and ceremonies in a safe and acceptable environment and coordinate access to Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers to meet the needs of the clients, families, and staff. Finally, as the Cultural Coordinator, you will work to promote cultural awareness, safety, and competency within Wakenagun Youth Healing Lodge.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in activities such as, but not limited to, one-to-one and group cultural advice and guidance, smudging, traditional healing, and knowledge sharing.
• Anishinaabe language instruction and ceremony participation;
• Provide support and guidance to Wellness Workers during programming and ceremonies;
• Ensure appropriate material, supplies, equipment, and staffing requests are provided based on the event;
• To role model and promote cultural awareness, safety, and competency
• To promote healing and reconciliation for Anishinaabe people
• Assist in conducting ceremonies, such as sweat lodge and pipe ceremonies;
• Facilitate smudging, Natural Law Teachings, Medicine Wheel Teachings, Tipi Teachings, and other Anishinaabe Spiritual beliefs and traditions;
• Deliver or coordinate traditional food education and preparation;
• Ensure all staff and clients follow protocols within ceremony by educating and role modeling the protocols;
• Facilitate smudging the building seasonally and between cohorts;
• Facilitate medicine walks and harvesting medicine and assist with the onsite vegetable and medicine gardens;
• Coordinate and or teach cultural craft making sessions such as sewing, beading, baskets, medicine pouches, feather cases, regalia making;
• Coordinate and participate in cultural land-based activities such as harvesting animals, fishing, berry picking, fasting ceremony, etc. depending on the season;
• Coordination of Elders and Knowledge Keepers for programming;
• Coordination and guidance to the Grandfather Drum Keeper;
• Coordination and planning for program graduation ceremony;
• Provide a calendar of community events and resources for clients to attend during treatment and post treatment
• All other duties as assigned

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Cultural Coordinator is under the supervision of the Treatment Services Manager with further accountability to the overall performance to the Director of Treatment Services.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Exceptional knowledge of Anishinaabe culture, protocol, as well as having experience working with Elders
• Speaking an Anishinaabe language or ability to teach and learn with young adults is essential;
• Strong knowledge and awareness of Anishinaabe culture and history, with particular emphasis on family violence, child welfare, the impacts of trauma, intergenerational trauma, Anishinaabe people engagement and community outreach
• Skills and experience in presenting workshops and facilitating groups
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to speak Anishinaabe language is an asset
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Must possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License and be willing to travel if required
• Must provide a clear Broad Range Record Check
• Must be available to work some days, evenings, and weekends
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless unable as per a protected ground in the Human Rights Code.

Education

Post Secondary education is considered an asset

Experience

• Minimum of three years of work experience within an Anishinaabe organization or community
• Experience working with Anishinaabe children, youth, and families is essential
• Experience in organizing functions, events, and land-based outings is required
• Experience in program planning, development, and implementation

POSITION DEMANDS

Physical Demands

• The Cultural Coordinator must be capable of participating in and leading outdoor activities, such as medicine walks, harvesting, and land-based outings. These activities may involve walking, standing, and navigating varied terrains.
• Facilitating cultural craft-making sessions and engaging in outdoor activities like harvesting require physical dexterity, coordination, and mobility.
• Active participation in ceremonies such as sweat lodges, pipe ceremonies, and smudging, requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Accurate documentation of observations, reports, and relevant information for maintaining records and program continuity. This involves sitting for extended periods and performing motions that include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Participation in meetings, conferences, and workshops may require sitting for extended periods.

Mental Demands

• Effective interpersonal skills are essential for working closely with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, staff, and clients. Active listening and the ability to engage in collaborative discussions are necessary for successful interactions.
• Clear and respectful communication of teachings, protocols, and instructions is crucial. Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to convey complex concepts understandably are required.
• Providing support and guidance during emotional and ceremonial activities demands emotional resilience and the ability to manage intense and sensitive interactions.
• Maintaining focus during active involvement in ceremonies and teachings is required for meaningful participation.
• Strong organizational skills are necessary for coordinating events, workshops, ceremonies, and land-based activities.

BENEFITS

• You can expect a supportive work environment, paid time off, and a competitive compensation package.
• Flexible working hours, dental care, HOOPP Pension Plan, vision care.

Employees will be eligible for an incentive upon obtaining certification through the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada (ICBOC).

Ka-Na-Chi-Hih and Pelican High Peak value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from diverse candidates. We consider all applicants, regardless of race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, family status, neurodiversity, or disability.

Accommodations for disabilities can be arranged throughout the recruitment and selection process by contacting Human Resources.

5310 ON-101, Timmins, ON P4R 0B6, Canada