Indigenous Healing and Wellness Worker – United Native Friendship Centre

POSITION TITLE: Indigenous Healing and Wellness Worker

OJECTIVES: To identify families and/or individuals in need of healing and wellness services within the The United Native Friendship Centre as well as within the community. The Indigenous Healing & Wellness Worker is responsible for the coordination and delivery of programs to meet the needs of the community within the mandate of the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy.
AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY: To implement trauma-informed and strengths-based cultural approaches to address community-based mental health and wellbeing concerns.

QUALIFICATIONS
– Social Services diploma or equivalent
– 2-3 years of experience in this or related field
– Effective oral and written communication skills
– Sufficient computer skills for statistical reporting and client file records & updates
– Understanding the Anishinaabe language is an asset
– Must be able to function as a member of the team
– Knowledgeable and sensitive to the culturally based activities, teachings, and practices of UNFC
(ie. Smudge, Drumming, Ceremonies etc.)
– An attitude of respect and sensitivity towards program utilizers
– Excellent communications and organization skills
– Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Reference check
– Current First Aid/CPR and WHMIS
– Superior ability to work to deadlines with minimum supervision.
– Strong interpersonal skills.
– Possess the ability the successfully facilitate multiple interest situations.
– Strong advocate of indigenous people and a proponent of indigenous decision-making.
– Good management and planning skills.
– Knowledge of community resources.
– Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:
The Indigenous Healing & Wellness Worker shall be responsible for:
Individuals and Families
To identify families and/or individuals in need of healing and wellness services.

To assess family and/or individuals needs to determine the extent of services required.
To provide emergency services to violent family situations including support and follow-up.
To refer victims to appropriate services.
To link abusers with legal services or appropriate treatment services.
To provide ongoing liaison service and follow-up to ensure family and individual needs are being met.
To promote healthy lifestyles by conducting home visits, healing circles, workshops, seminars and public education forums.
To know of and work with community agencies to support healthy indigenous families.
To promote violence-free lifestyles.
To promote indigenous culture-based family healing.
To support the development of healing circles, peer support groups and self-help processes to assist in community healing, anger management, positions self-image development, alternative discipline methods and positive relationships.
To work with other Friendship Centre programs and staff to promote a coordinated approach to healing and wellness.
To work with other indigenous organizations and First Nation staff to promote a coordinated approach to healing and wellness.
To work with residential school survivors and their families.

2. Community

To conduct youth, men’s and women’s healing circles.
To promote, by programming and personal example, the development of positive role models in the community.
To initiate community development activities which will lead to healthy families and lifestyles.
To facilitate community events to promote healing, wellness, addictions-free activities, positive parenting, family interaction and cultural awareness.
To promote positive family interaction and activities targeting disadvantaged and single-parent families.
To facilitate the positive re-establishment of families.
To participate in the development and establishment of culturally-sensitive services which address family healing and wellness.
To facilitate the involvement of elders and traditional people, who have undergone their own healing and wellness journey, in the Indigenous Healing & Wellness Program.
To promote the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy.
To organize/prepare community presentations promoting the program and the Friendship Centre.

3. Other Community Services

To establish a relationship with community resources to facilitate increased sensitivity and awareness.
To establish a system of referrals.
To assist, upon request, non-indigenous agencies in order to ensure that indigenous clients receive the service and support they require.
To promote linkages amongst community agencies so that the Indigenous community will have greater access to holistic healing and wellness approaches.
To facilitate the understanding and support of community agencies for the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy.

4. Administration

To report regularly to the Team Lead.
Adhere to the UNFC File Maintenance Policy for all client files.
To prepare accurate activity and statistical reports and submit them as required to the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC).
To participate in any evaluation developed by the OFIFC for the Program.
To attend meetings, workshops, seminars and training established for the program.

5. Other
To undertake any other such reasonable duties as may be assigned from time-to-time.

As an Indigenous employer, the United Native Friendship Centre encourages Indigenous applicants. We offer a generous benefits package and pension for all full time employees along with many other advantages.

If you have questions regarding the above postings, please contact our Human Resource Manager, Karen Chowhan or our Executive Director, Sheila McMahon at 274-8541 or email humanresources@unfc.org and executivedirector@unfc.org

To submit your resume, please send your cover letter, resume and three work-related references to:
Personnel Selection Committee
United Native Friendship Centre
P.O. Box 752, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3N1 or drop off at 427 Mowat Avenue, Fort Frances, Ontario
or email: humanresources@unfc.org and executivedirector@unfc.org