Indian Residential School Worker

**The Position**

The Indian Residential School (IRS) program was formed in 2007 to provide mental, emotional, and cultural support services to former Indian Residential School students and their families throughout all phases of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. The program includes culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care to counsel individuals, families, and groups, or engage in prevention programs.

The program has since evolved to provide support to families and individuals who have been affected by Day Schools, Sixties Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Indian Day School Students.

**Responsibilities**

The IRS Support Worker will be responsible for providing support and outreach services to all seven of STC’s Member Nations and their community members, including Urban, who have been affected by the impact of Indian Residential Schools. The IRS support worker will work collaboratively with all relevant support programs and services. This support will be provided by:

- Providing emotional support for individuals, families, or groups.
- Providing referrals to community resources such as Elders, healers, addiction support, and mental health support.
- Providing outreach education and awareness about the history and impact of the Indian Residential Schools
- Attend and Participate in Member Nations’ groups, activities, gatherings, and events.
- Fostering cultural connections in all stages of the process.
- Providing various presentations, workshops, and group programming and events.
- Actively participating on the STC Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team.
- Supporting documentation standards and processes for Accreditation Canada standards
- Completing required reports and data collection.
- Work Collaboratively with community groups to increase awareness regarding MMIWG2S+ and Residential Schools (Orange Shirt Day);
- Participating and completing required education and training.
- Supporting individuals with completing their compensation forms.
- Supporting and helping to prepare individuals during all stages of their claims process.
- Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the reporting Director or designate on an as-required basis.

**Education and Experience**
- Post-secondary degree in a related human services field; and
- Minimum 2 years of directly related work experience; OR
- Comparable combination of education and work experience;
- Experience working in a supportive and advocacy role;
- Ability to speak or understand a First Nations language an asset;
- Awareness of First Nation values, culture, and traditions;

***Knowledge Skills and Abilities**
- Knowledge and understanding of the history and effects of Indian residential schools and their multigenerational impacts are essential;
- Knowledge of MMIWG2S+
- Knowledge of mental health issues;
- Familiarity and understanding of challenges encountered by First Nations people within the health care system
- An understanding of the dynamics of First Nations communities;
- Ability to work as a team within the IRS program, the Mental Health Program, and STC’s seven Member Nations
- Ability to organize and plan community events;
- Ability to develop and deliver presentations;
- Ability to demonstrate respect, uphold STC’s strategic objectives and provide support to a member community;
- Ability to gain trust and confidence in a supporting role;
- Organizational skills, including maintaining both written and oral data;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Ability to work independently and to self-motivate;
- Organization, time management, and multi-tasking skills;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint platforms;
- Knowledge of the political, social, and economic objectives of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and of the Dakota, Cree, and Saulteaux cultures will be considered an asset.

**Other Conditions**
- Must possess a valid Saskatchewan driver’s license, a reliable vehicle, and meet STC’s insurance requirements;
- Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CPIC) with vulnerable sector search as a condition of employment;
- Must be willing to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends, and to perform other related duties as required or assigned.