Cultural Wellness Worker

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to join our Cultural Wellness (CW) program. This program provides Elder-led cultural wellness care to new and existing members of the Kilala Lelum Health Centre and the Downtown Eastside community (DTES) through a culturally-safe, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach.

**Job Summary**:
The **_Cultural Wellness Worker (CWW) _**is an integral part of the Cultural Wellness team, working directly with the CW Manager, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, Primary Care team, and Kilala Lelum’s community partners. The CW program employs a spectrum of in-clinic (group and 1:1), outreach, and virtual approaches to connect our members, staff, and community members with culture-based wellness health and wellness support.

The **_CWW (0.6 FTE) _**performs a combination of duties to deliver cultural wellness care, including: building relationships and supporting members’ access to care through community outreach; acting as an Elders’ + Knowledge Keepers’ assistant; and facilitating outings and events. The CWW also performs a range of logístical support (ex: food preparation, preparing and caring for medicines and cultural materials) and some basic administrative and communication duties (ex: data entry, program support).

**Responsibilities**:

- Establish relationships with new and existing Kilala Lelum members and the broader DTES community to provide culturally safe, kind, and empathetic support.
- Provide care, support, and assistance to our circle of Elders and Knowledge Keepers by building safe and trusting relationships and ensuring their wellness is taken care of in their work for Kilala Lelum. Follow cultural practices and protocols related to caring for Elders and Knowledge Keepers and assist their work through a humble and respectful practice.
- On designated days, act as the Elders’ and Knowledge Keepers’ assistant (main point-person and support) in their provision of group Cultural Wellness services. Build relationships with each Elder to determine what types of supports and assistance works best for them, including: greeting them when they arrive onsite; preparing and providing for them in terms of food/drinks, cultural materials, and medicines; arranging logistics for their groups (including video conferencing and room set up); and attending groups, as needed, to provide support and follow-up debriefing.
- Assist with the planning, organization, delivery, and facilitation of cultural outings, events, ceremonies, and virtual initiatives (ex: land-based teachings, medicine harvesting, and community gatherings) for members and staff.
- Foster engagement with the Cultural Wellness program by facilitating cultural activities and information-sharing in partner programs.
- Work with Medical Office Assistants (MOAs) and the Cultural Wellness Manager to facilitate referrals and schedule 1:1 appointments with Elders and Knowledge Keepers and help document these interactions using the EMR (Electronic Medical Records).
- Manage and operate program equipment (including digital devices) and maintain clinical, cultural, and non-clinical materials and supplies.
- Distribute harm reduction and other supplies (food, socks, etc.); support with referrals and connections to other community services and supports.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other Indigenous health and social services partner organizations, local First Nations, and wider Indigenous communities.
- Maintain and care for healing spaces at Kilala Lelum, particularly shared spaces where medicines are grown or kept (ex: Hummingbird Room, Budzey Building Community Garden).
- Find opportunities to learn about medicines, cultural protocols, and other Indigenous teachings and share that knowledge with members and Kilala Lelum staff in order to deepen our practices.
- With the CW team, strengthen relationships with the host nations of Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh to recognize our responsibilities.

**Qualifications & Skills**:

- Familiarity working with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers; knowledge of cultural protocols and Indigenous approaches to wellness.
- Minimum of a Post-Secondary Diploma or equivalent, with preference for social services, community health, or Indigenous studies. Equivalent learning experiences, especially in cultural spaces and relationships considered and encouraged. Please explain in your Cover Letter how your education or learning background has prepared you for this role.
- Minimum of one year of work experience in a health or social service environment (ex: health centre, outreach, housing, community services) that serves Indigenous community members and/or communities with multiple barriers to health and wellness equity.
- Desire to work with the residents of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and bring cultural wellness services to people with multiple ba