Job Description
We're a not-for-profit mental health centre based in Calgary, with locations across Alberta. Our mission is to build good mental health and well-being so everyone can thrive in their community.
We're looking for a Indigenous Wellness Navigator to join our team! Please note, this position is a one-year term contract based in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Informed by the Indigenous worldview in which ‘culture as treatment’ and ‘culture as intervention’ are provided, the Indigenous Wellness Navigator will mentor and guide staff and clients in a culturally responsive direction. The Indigenous Wellness Navigator enhances cultural engagement by building capacity for safety, connection, and coping through the philosophy of the four quadrants of the medicine wheel: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The Indigenous Wellness Navigator establishes meaningful access to culture and land for all Indigenous clients seeking health and wellness at Wood’s Homes. The Indigenous Wellness Navigator will demonstrate due diligence in being exceptional in the delivery of high-quality services and in meeting the requirements of the Health and Safety Management System at Wood’s Homes.
Key Responsibilities
Cultural, Clinical & Milieu Support
• Ensures the facilitation of quality cultural practices that are safe, developmentally appropriate, clinically relevant, and culturally appropriate.
• Exercises sound judgement when sharing cultural practices and ensures they are relevant to the therapeutic goals of the client/family that are created by the clinical team.
• Manages appropriately the cultural offerings needed and can speak/teach to their relevance.
• Champions and prioritizes the communication of cultural ceremonial aspects agency wide.
• Attends Individual Case Plan meetings for review and progress updates.
• Works effectively with clinical staff to provide a culturally responsible therapeutic milieu.
• Develops agency wide training and teachings.
File Maintenance and Research (Practice Based Knowledge)
• Train and support the completion of Indigenous Case Management documentation within assessment phase of the admission for all Indigenous children and youth.
• Complies with record-keeping and file management policies and protocols.
• Ensures documentation of practice-based knowledge (story-gathering, photos and narrative creation of culture practice) through different mediums, including electronic; prepares documentation for annual funding report.
• Participates actively in supervisory meetings, agency team meetings, retreats, planning sessions, and designated in-service training.
• Coordination with programs and management in planning travel outside of the city limits.
• Communicates regularly with staff teams and supervisor in-person and remotely regarding daily tasks and objective completion.
Cultural Leadership, Elder/Ceremony Support, Community Coordination
• Identifies appropriate cultural protocol to engage with community, Elders, and knowledge keepers before engagement begins and effectively communicates and teaches protocol to staff.
• Facilitates large group teachings and presentations.
• Models appropriate dress code and professional presentation within the workplace and appropriate to engagement with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Is an effective, mature, culturally connected, and appropriate role model for each client to utilize in their growth.
• Maintains consistent and professional communication with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Staff, Clients, and all other stakeholders.
• Explores cultural connections available to children and families involved with Children’s Services.
• Compiles a list of cultural connections prior to admission meeting (based on the client’s history and referral documentation) and ensures guardian consent.
• Oversees the coordination of cultural connections to caregivers, family members, and other applicable stakeholders.
• Evaluates and determines the possibility of cultural integration with additional Wood’s Homes positions.
Cultural System Oversight & Communication
• Create awareness of cultural engagement opportunities amongst stakeholders and increase/confirm attendance through coordination and collaboration with program staff.
Qualifications
Cultural Knowledge and Lived Experience
• Lived experience and self-identifies as an Indigenous person as guided by the constitution of Canada.
• Has cultural knowledge of many different nations and has (or acquires) the appropriate rites and permissions to share and use teachings that will benefit the clients we serve.
• Appreciates the cultural differences between nations and promotes good relations within multiple communities.
• Comfortable speaking in front of people and sharing positive messages and benefits of connecting to culture.
• Has ability to connect and support Elders, knowledge keepers during ceremonies, and other cultural related engagements.
Education and Experience
• Diploma or Undergraduate degree in the Social Sciences, Child & Youth Care, Social Work, or a related field in addition to a minimum of two (2) years related experience.
• Extensive Indigenous Cultural and Ceremonial Practice Knowledge may be considered in lieu of post-secondary educational requirements.
• Criminal Record Check and Intervention Record Check required upon hire.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification.
Why choose us. We are committed to a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We empower and are advocates for our employees by welcoming, respecting and valuing their unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. At Wood’s Homes we embrace each other’s differences and strive to learn and grow from them. We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those moving forward in the selection process will be contacted.
