Indigenous Wellness Navigator

Wood’s Homes is searching for up to three (3) full-time Indigenous Wellness Navigators - Youth and Family Counsellors to join our Community Group Care, Therapeutic Campus-Based Care (TCBC), and Therapeutic Foster Care/Foster Care teams.

Role Summary:

Ensures the facilitation and support of quality Indigenous practices for children, families, and communities that are safe, developmentally appropriate, clinically relevant, and culturally sensitive. 

Responsibilities:

Cultural, Clinical, and Milieu Support

• Has Indigenous cultural knowledge and experience that helps to support the healing journeys of children, families, and communities.
•  Exercises sound judgement when sharing cultural practices and ensures they are relevant to the therapeutic goals of the client/family that are co-created with the clinical team.
• Appropriately manages 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 and other front-line staff members to provide a culturally responsible therapeutic milieu.
• Supports the development and presentation of agency wide trainings and teachings.

File Maintenance and Research (Practice-based Knowledge)

• Supports the co-creation of Individual Case plans within the admission and assessment phase for all Indigenous children and youth through the review and completion of relevant Indigenous assessment and discussion materials.
• Complies with record-keeping and file management policies and protocols.
• 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.
• Ensures documentation of practice-based knowledge (written, story-gathering, photos and narrative creation of culture practice) through different mediums, including electronic; prepares documentation for annual funding report.

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 members.
• Co-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 in support of their growth and healing journey.
• Maintains consistent and professional communication with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, staff, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Explores cultural connections available to children and families involved with Children and Family Services.
• Compiles a list of cultural connection opportunities both prior and during the initial admission meeting (based on the client’s history and referral documentation) and ensures family and/or guardian consent.
• Oversees the coordination of cultural connections to caregivers, family members, communities, and other applicable stakeholders.
• Evaluates and helps determine the possibility of cultural integration with additional Wood’s Homes positions.

Cultural System Oversight & Communication

• Creates awareness and cultural engagement opportunities amongst stakeholders and facilitates active attendance and participation through coordination and collaboration with program staff.

Qualifications:

Cultural Knowledge and Lived Experience

• Has 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/Undergraduate Degree in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Nursing, and other relevant Social Sciences (e.g., Psychology) and 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.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Must have a class 5 driver’s license and own transportation.
• Criminal Record Check and Intervention Record Check required upon hire.