Director, Indigenous Cultural Safety and Relations

Ontario Health; Hamilton; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a dedicated leader to advance Indigenous Cultural Safety and strengthen partnerships across the health system in Ontario’s West Region. This role involves collaborating with First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous communities to promote culturally safe healthcare practices. You will work within a supportive team environment, focusing on building strong relationships and advocating for equitable health outcomes. If you are passionate about making a difference and have a background in Indigenous health, this opportunity is for you. Join a mission-driven organization committed to health equity and community engagement.

Benefits

Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage

Health care spending account

Defined benefit pension plan

Three personal days annually

Three weeks’ vacation to start

Career development opportunities

Collaborative team culture

Wellness program

Hybrid working model

Participation in Communities of Inclusion

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Indigenous health or social services with advocacy experience.
• Expertise in Indigenous methodologies and community health development.

Responsibilities

• Develop partnerships with FNIMuI communities and health organizations.
• Support hospitals in creating transparent ICS reporting frameworks.
• Advocate for access to Traditional Healing in healthcare settings.

Skills

Indigenous health advocacy

Community engagement

Culturally safe care practices

Policy development

Data stewardship

Communication skills

Collaboration in multi-partner environments

Education

Advanced degree in public health or policy

Training in Indigenous governance

Job description

Pour obtenir une traduction en français de l’offre d’emploi suivante, veuillez envoyer un courriel à [e-mail]. Les demandes seront traitées dans un délai de trois jours ouvrables et la période de dépôt des demandes sera prolongée de trois jours.

To obtain a French translation of the following job posting, please email [e-mail]. Requests will be addressed within three business days, and the application window will be extended by three business days.

At Ontario Health, we are committed to developing a strong organizational culture that connects and inspires all team members across the province. Our vision is that together, we will be a leader in health and wellness for all. Our mission is to connect the health system to drive improved and equitable health outcomes, experiences and value. How we work together is reflected through our five values: integrity, inspiration, tenacity, humility and care.

What Ontario Health offers:

Achieving your career goals is a priority to us. Benefits of working at Ontario Health may include the following based on employment type:

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision coverage from your first day

• a health care spending or wellness spending account

• a p remium defined benefit pension plan

• three personal days and two float days annually

• three weeks’ vacation to start (for individual contributors), increasing to four weeks after two years

• c areer development opportunities

• a collaborative values-based team culture

• a wellness program

• a hybrid working model

• p articipation in Communities of Inclusion

Want to make a difference in your career? Consider this opportunity.

Position Title: Director, Indigenous Cultural Safety and Relations (West Region)

Location: Hybrid (West Region – Windsor, Burlington, Niagara, Kitchener/Waterloo, London, Hamilton, Sarnia, Huron Perth, Chatham, Grey Bruce, Owen Sound

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Help Lead the Way Toward Health Equity

Ontario Health is seeking a dedicated and experienced leader to advance Indigenous Cultural Safety and strengthen partnerships across the health system in Ontario’s West Region which is made up of Windsor, Burlington, Niagara, Kitchener/Waterloo, London, Hamilton, Sarnia, Huron Perth, Chatham, Grey Bruce, Owen Sound among other towns/cities. As Director, Indigenous Cultural Safety and Relations, you will work directly with First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and urban Indigenous (FNIMuI) communities, and health care organizations to help build safer, more respectful, and more responsive health systems—especially within hospitals.

This senior-level position sits within our Indigenous Leaders Model (ILM) team, a circle of Indigenous and allied leaders working to improve system coordination and support culturally grounded healthcare for Indigenous Peoples across Ontario.

What You’ll Do

Build Strong Partnerships and Support System Change

• Develop trusted relationships with FNIMuI communities, patient navigators, Elders, and Indigenous health organizations across the region.

• Collaborate with hospitals, Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), and Indigenous health partners to embed Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) and anti-racism into care practices.

• Support hospitals in creating transparent ICS reporting frameworks and promote accountability on culturally safe care.

• Oversee ICS performance and evaluation across the region, ensuring culturally safe care is both measurable and meaningful.

Lead Strategy, Evaluation, and Policy Advocacy

• Co-develop ICS and anti-racism guidelines, practices, and patient navigation supports across hospital settings.

• Help build a regional system report card aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

• Partner with Indigenous health leaders to shape strategic plans, identify success indicators, and strengthen transitions of care.

• Support data stewardship practices that reflect Indigenous data sovereignty and self-identification principles.

Engage Communities and Support Indigenous-Led Solutions

• Foster relationships grounded in respect, community accountability, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

• Champion the inclusion of Indigenous voices in health planning, policy, and program development.

• Advocate for access to Traditional Healing and Indigenous wellness models in all healthcare settings.

• Collaborate with Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Anti-Racism (EIDAR) team to guide culturally safe system-wide efforts.

What You Bring

• Lived experience, community knowledge, and professional expertise are all valued in this role. We welcome applications from Indigenous candidates with deep relationships, connections to community and strong leadership capabilities.

• 10+ years working in Indigenous health, social services, or policy environments —with demonstrated advocacy for FNIMuI peoples.

• Knowledge of hospital systems, Indigenous cultural safety, anti-racism practices, and community health development.

• Experience building strong relationships with Indigenous communities, governments, and health organizations.

• Advanced degree or equivalent training and lived/community experience (e.g., public health, policy, Indigenous governance).

• Expertise in Indigenous methodologies, data collection, and knowledge sharing.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills—able to work in complex, multi-partner environments with integrity and respect.

• Experience applying trauma-informed, anti-racist, and culturally safe approaches in systems-level leadership.

We encourage applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates. Ontario Health is committed to fostering a culturally safe and equitable workplace for all. Miigwech, Nakurmiik, Qujannamiik, Maarsi, and thank you for considering this opportunity.

Employment Type:

Permanent Full time

Contract Length:

N/A

Salary Band:

Band 9

External Application Deadline Date:

May 22, 2025

All applicants must be a resident of Ontario to be considered for roles at Ontario Health.

Ontario Health encourages applications from candidates who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and urban Indigenous; Francophone; members ofBlack and racializedgroups; 2SLGBTQIA+ communities; trans and nonbinary individuals;and people living with disabilities.

Ontario Health is an accessible employer, and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please email [e-mail] and a member of the team will connect with you within 48 hours.