Wiidookaw Health Outreach Worker Contract

Beendigen; Thunder Bay; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wiidookaw Health Outreach Worker supports Indigenous health by building trusted relationships, delivering culturally safe health education, and connecting community members with health and social services.

The role bridges Indigenous communities and health systems, promoting health equity and respect for traditional knowledge. It emphasizes outreach, advocacy, and coordination across Elders and local organizations.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Health and community education with a minimum of 2 years front line experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous women and children.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, tradition, language and Indigenous community.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Violence Against Women sector.
• Knowledge of traditional wellness practices and community-specific cultural protocols.
• Experience in community outreach, peer support, or health promotion is preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license with clear abstract and ability to travel within the region, as needed.
• Must have own working cellular device
• Ability to speak Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree an asset

Responsibilities

• Engage Indigenous community members through culturally appropriate outreach and relationship-building.
• Provide health education and information on wellness, disease prevention, mental health, substance use, and chronic conditions, with an emphasis on Indigenous perspectives on health and healing.
• Support individuals in accessing primary care, traditional healing practices, mental health services, and social supports.Collaborate with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and local Indigenous organizations to promote holistic approaches to health and wellness.
• Advocate for culturally safe care and help reduce barriers to services (e.g., transportation, language, systemic racism).
• Participate in planning and delivering community health events, workshops, and ceremonies.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach activities and support program evaluation and reporting.
• Client-Based Services, 1-on-1 services: supports are provided to an individual, home visits, service navigation, advocacy, referrals, and aftercare.
• Group-based Activities: Healing supports provided in a group, family-based setting, traditional healing or cultural teachings, support groups, cultural activities or small workshops that will include cooking, and land-based activities.
• Community Outreach, Engagement & Relationship-Building: Outreach and engagement activities focusing on preventing family violence and improving Indigenous health.
• Physical: provision of assistance for medical appointments for immunizations, COVID, flu shots, x-rays, dental, hearing, optometry; acquiring/renewing identification like status/Metis cards, birth certificates, health cards, driver’s licenses; and for referrals to other community services, programming, resources and supports where applicable
• Mental: provision of educational teachings through workshops and information sessions about IRS; development and distribution of posters and information cards about IRS
• Emotional: trauma-informed and culturally appropriate mental health and addictions supports for trauma, grief, emotional regulation, life skills etc.
• Spiritual: cultural and land-based teachings and activities such as medicine harvesting, drumming, feather teachings, ceremonies and access to Elders
• Notify Program Supervisor of any unusual cases, irregularities, accidents, illnesses or repairs.
• Maintain all standards of health and safety for the protection of residents and staff.
• Correctly enter and maintain information in the database.
• Maintain a case plan for each resident and follow through on the completion of their plan.
• Advocate for and support residents in accessing community resources that may include transportation or accompanying resident to appointments.
• Provide written program information and documentation as required by the Program Supervisor.
• Assist Crisis Home staff if needed and available
• Participate as a team member in achieving the goals and objectives of the Organization.
• Follow confidential handling of resident/community information as dictated by Privacy Legislation.
• Adhere to all policies, procedures and ensure adherence to program Best Practices.
• Preserve confidentiality of all residents, clients, staff, students, volunteers and agency information.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Any other duties as requested by the Program Supervisor, commensurate with role.

Skills

Front line experience

Oral & written communication

Driver's license

Ability to travel

Ojibway/Cree language

Education

Diploma/Degree in Health and community education

Job description

Position Title:

WiidookawHealth Outreach Worker

Hours of Work:

Flexible (35 hours per week) Monday-Friday

Location:

Crisis Home

Reports to:

Crisis Home Supervisor

Salary:

28.58$/hour

Appointment:

Temporary Full Time Contract – (March 31st, 2026 with potential of extension)

Position Summary

The Wiidookaw Health Outreach Worker (to help people) plays a vital role in supporting the health and wellness of Indigenous individuals, families, and communities. This role involves building trusted relationships, providing culturally safe health education, and connecting community members with appropriate health and social services. The Wiidookaw Health Outreach Worker acts as a bridge between Indigenous communities and health systems, working to promote health equity and respect for traditional knowledge and practices.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Health and community education with a minimum of 2 years front line experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing services to Indigenous women and children.
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, tradition, language and Indigenous community.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Violence Against Women sector.
• Knowledge of traditional wellness practices and community-specific cultural protocols.
• Experience in community outreach, peer support, or health promotion is preferred
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license with clear abstract and ability to travel within the region, as needed.
• Must have own working cellular device
• Ability to speak Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree an asset

Responsibilities

• Engage Indigenous community members through culturally appropriate outreach and relationship-building.
• Provide health education and information on wellness, disease prevention, mental health, substance use, and chronic conditions, with an emphasis on Indigenous perspectives on health and healing.
• Support individuals in accessing primary care, traditional healing practices, mental health services, and social supports Collaborate with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and local Indigenous organizations to promote holistic approaches to health and wellness.
• Advocate for culturally safe care and help reduce barriers to services (e.g., transportation, language, systemic racism).
• Participate in planning and delivering community health events, workshops, and ceremonies.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach activities and support program evaluation and reporting.
• Client-Based Services, 1-on-1 services: supports are provided to an individual, home visits, service navigation, advocacy, referrals, and aftercare.
• Group-based Activities: Healing supports provided in a group, family-based setting, traditional healing or cultural teachings, support groups, cultural activities or small workshops that will include cooking, and land-based activities.
• Community Outreach, Engagement & Relationship-Building: Outreach and engagement activities focusing on preventing family violence and improving Indigenous health. Activities may include workshops, public presentations and information sessions, public awareness and education campaigns, community, and cultural events, networking, and fitness and/or recreational activities.
• Physical: provision of assistance for medical appointments for immunizations, COVID, flu shots, x-rays, dental, hearing, optometry; acquiring/renewing identification like status/Metis cards, birth certificates, health cards, driver’s licenses; and for referrals to other community services, programming, resources and supports where applicable
• Mental: provision of educational teachings through workshops and information sessions about Indian Residential Schools from past to present; and development and distribution of posters and information cards about IRS to provide to the community that also include how/where IRS supports can be accessed
• Emotional: provision of trauma-informed and culturally appropriate mental health and addictions supports for trauma, grief, emotional regulation, life skills etc. in the form of group and/or individual counselling, sharing circles, storytelling, and through the cultural belonging teachings of the Seven Grandfathers and the Thirteen Grandmother Moons
• Spiritual: provision of cultural and land-based teachings and activities such as medicine harvesting, drumming and singing, feather teachings, teepee and wigwam teachings as well as attending cultural ceremonies such as pow-wows, sweat lodges, sacred fires, full moon, naming ceremonies and most importantly access to Elders
• Notify Program Supervisor of any unusual cases, irregularities, accidents, illnesses or repairs.
• Maintain all standards of health and safety for the protection of residents and staff.
• Correctly enter and maintain information in the database.
• Maintain a case plan for each resident and follow through on the completion of their plan.
• Advocate for and support residents in accessing community resources that may include transportation or accompanying resident to appointments.
• Provide written program information and documentation as required by the Program Supervisor.
• Assist Crisis Home staff if needed and available
• Participate as a team member in achieving the goals and objectives of the Organization.
• Follow confidential handling of resident/community information as dictated by Privacy Legislation.
• Adhere to all policies, procedures and ensure adherence to program Best Practices.
• Preserve confidentiality of all residents, clients, staff, students, volunteers and agency information.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Any other duties as requested by the Program Supervisor, commensurate with role.

Working Conditions

• Travel between locations is required.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Lifting or moving up to 35lbs may be required.
• Extended periods of sitting or standing
• Occasional overtime
• Operation of desktop computer and peripherals
• Flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Working in a busy office environment with frequent interruption

Employment is subject to:

• Providing a successful Police Records Check (Vulnerable Sector).
• Must be willing to work Flexible hours of work (35hr/wk.)
• Must have a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s license, clean drivers abstract, use of an automobile and appropriate insurance coverage is required.
• Must sign Oath of Confidentiality.
• Must have Mental Health First Aid Certification.
• Must be fully CovidVaccinated or have an exemption.
• Must have First Aid Level C Certification.
• Must have a working cell phone

The Wiidookaw Health Outreach Worker is based at Ontario Street Location, and Golf Links Road location; however, all employees may be required to work across other sites from time to time.

All employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all potential hazards; and all incidents and injuries; as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S.

Beendigen Anishinabe Women's Crisis Home and Family Healing Agencywelcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.