Circle Keeper

**Hi. We’re Trellis.**

Trellis works with young people, adults, families, and communities to unlock their potential and support their growth. We are focused on generational change by providing a spectrum of services for people of all backgrounds, including those with complex needs. Our programs improve access to resources, develop family and community supports and build people’s capacity to deal with life’s challenges.

With our support, people from all walks of life are empowered to move beyond systemic barriers, cultivate great outcomes and reach their full potential. We’re Trellis - and we’re always growing

**Our Values**

Our values not only define who we are but also support Trellis to achieve our vision of everyone reaching their full potential.
- ** Courage**: We willingly embrace growth, and don’t see it as optional
- ** Empathy**: We relentlessly care about the growth of others and won’t let anyone go unsupported
- ** Learning**: We choose to grow through uncertainty, even when the status quo feels easier
- ** Impact**: We go beyond what seems doable and prove that growth is possible.

**Our Commitments**

We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and connectedness, where everyone is welcomed. We believe in creating a workplace that celebrates diversity of our teams, our program participants and reflects the communities we serve.

We are committed to active reconciliation in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 94 calls to action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Reconciliation is a highly valued and integrated part of our culture and work. Trellis’ reconciliation journey is intentional with meaningful engagement from team members both collectively and as individuals.

**What Trellis Offers**

We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable total compensation to all staff. This includes the following benefits:

- Flexible Health & Wellness Benefits
- RRSP Group Savings Plan
- Free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program
- Paid Vacation, Sick Days, Wellness Days and your Work Anniversary off
- Ability to swap statutory holidays for other days of importance to you
- Consistent Training & Development Opportunities
- Diversity and Inclusion embedded into everyday practice.

**The Role: Circle Keeper (Full Time)**

The role of Circle Keeper to provide low-barrier services working in a multi-team environment. This role seeks to contribute to healing and wellness, support landbased learning, and provide program development and delivery. The Circle Keeper, guided by various Elders and Knowledge Keepers, will ensure practice remains true to the diverse and unique ancestry of the individuals we serve, utilizing traditional teachings, practices, protocols, and ceremony.
- The Circle Keeper supports multiple Trellis programs but this position focuses on our after-school programming and preschools. Hours worked will be flexible and dependent on client availability and need. Staff must be able to work out of various club locations and will be expected to work in the community, in homes, or Trellis spaces as needed._

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**
- Provide leadership, mentorship, and support for individuals with Indigenous system navigation, connecting individuals to internal and external Indigenous resources and connecting individuals to Elders, ceremonies, and medicines.
- Experience in embedding traditional knowledge and ways of knowing in your daily work with persons served is extremely important in this position (ie. Teaching families or individuals about smudge and how to smudge).
- A large focus of this position will be to support and enhance the learning capacity with your colleagues.
- Be responsible for program planning and facilitation that is child/family-driven.
- Provide support for all people impacted when programs are faced with grief and loss.
- Support the Indigenous Initiative Director and People Service team identify and offer Indigenous trainings/learnings for Trellis staff.
- Ensure files and evaluation aspects are completed and meet contract needs.
- Represent agency at external events and be familiar with other resources in community.
- Other duties as required.

**Knowledge and Skills Expectations**
- Bachelor’s degree in a related human services or social services field with three to five years recent related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Strong knowledge and experience of Indigenous culture and ways of knowing is required, including experience and teachings in hosting sharing circles.
- Understanding of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and systemic factors.
- Knowledge and understanding of paralleling western and Indigenous practices.
- External connection to Indigenous community in Calgary and surrounding areas.
- Experience working with vulnerable children and families