Cultural Navigator – Tawow Community Centre

Aseniwuche Developement Corporation; Alberta; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cultural Navigator – Tawow Community Centre at Aseniwuche Developement Corporation plays a vital role in supporting children, youth, and families involved with Child Services. This role emphasizes maintaining connections to family, community, culture, and land through culturally informed guidance, advocacy, and coordination.

Working with families, Elders, and service partners, you will lead case support, engagement, and planning, including intake, assessments, care plans, family advocacy,

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of local Indigenous culture, families and community structures.
• Understanding of Alberta Child Services systems and practices (lived experience asset).
• Experience collaborating with Elders; Cree language is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to culturally safe practices.
• Effective conflict resolution and stress management skills.
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Provide intake, crisis intervention, and family reunification support.
• Assess family networks and cultural connections to inform plans.
• Develop culturally appropriate care and connection plans.
• Support children placed outside their community to maintain cultural ties.
• Maintain a caseload of a minimum of six families per month.
• Attend court proceedings as required to support families.
• Build trusting relationships with children, youth, families and Elders.
• Advocate for families within Child Services processes.
• Collaborate with Child Services and other providers to coordinate services.
• Plan and deliver culturally relevant programming for staff and families.
• Deliver two short-duration cultural sessions annually and two land-based retreats annually.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Relationship building

Cultural competency

Conflict resolution

Report writing

Team collaboration

Job description

Cultural Navigator – Tawow Community Centre

Deadline To Apply: This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is selected. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Position Overview:

Funded through a Community Support Fund grant, the Cultural Navigator plays a critical role in supporting children, youth, and families involved with Child Services. This position focuses on maintaining and strengthening connections to family, community, culture, and land.

The Cultural Navigator provides culturally informed guidance, advocacy, and coordination to promote the best interests of children. This includes involvement in Family Enhancement Agreements, Supervision Orders, Temporary and Permanent Guardianship Orders, and Kinship placements.

Working collaboratively with families, Elders, Child Services personnel, and community partners, the incumbent ensures services are delivered in a respectful, consistent, and culturally appropriate manner.

Duties

Case Support and Coordination

• Provide support for new and ongoing Child Services cases, including intake, crisis intervention, and family reunification
• Conduct initial assessments to identify family networks, cultural connections, and support resources
• Develop and implement culturally appropriate care and connection plans
• Support children placed outside their community to maintain cultural and family ties
• Maintain a caseload of a minimum of six (6) families per month
• Meet regularly with caseworkers to ensure effective communication and coordination

Family Engagement and Advocacy

• Build and maintain trusting relationships with children, youth, families, and Elders
• Advocate for the needs and best interests of families within Child Services processes
• Facilitate culturally safe communication between families and Child Services personnel
• Support families in understanding Child Services expectations and processes.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in case conferences, planning sessions, and network meetings
• Collaborate with Child Services and other service providers to ensure coordinated service delivery
• Attend court proceedings as required to support families and gather information.

Cultural Programming

• Plan and deliver culturally relevant programming for Child Services staff and impacted families, including:
  • Two (2) short-duration cultural sessions annually
  • Two (2) land-based cultural retreats annually
• Promote cultural identity, traditions, and practices in all interactions.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of local Indigenous culture, families, and community structures
• Understanding of Alberta Child Services systems, legislation, and practices (lived experience considered an asset)
• Experience collaborating with Elders; ability to speak or understand Cree is an asset
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Strong report writing and documentation abilities
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrated cultural competency and commitment to culturally safe practices
• Effective conflict resolution and stress management skills
• High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity.

Work Demands

• Primarily an office-based role with occasional travel.
• Periods of sitting (e.g., while driving or at a desk) and standing or walking during community engagements and program delivery.
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 30 lbs.

AWN offers a comprehensive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.