Cultural Support Worker

Reports to Mental Health Program ManagerPosition Summary:  The Cultural Support Worker, will primarily be responsible to respect and protect the rights of First Nation citizens, including but not limited to their right to independence, autonomy, and self-determination; their right to choose and practice individual values, beliefs, religion, and culture; their right to privacy and dignity. This position will collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary team to plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate care and support of STC members and STC member First Nations. This role will also use a culturally informed practice that is rooted in harm reduction, the Cultural Support Worker walks alongside our member nations and clients in their self-identified and self-determined goals for healing, culture, and community integration; while advocating for access and rights as needed.Responsibilities:  To provide cultural outreach support to the Opioid Agonist Therapy and Know Your Status Programs in community Respect and protect the rights of First Nation citizens, including but not limited to their right to independence, autonomy, and self-determination; their right to choose and practice individual values, beliefs, religion, and culture; their right to privacy and dignity;Collaborate with members of an interdisciplinary team to plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate care and support of Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) members and STC member First Nations;Provide frontline emotional support in community, TRC events, IRS gatherings, community ceremonies and gatherings, CISM, support of MMIWG;  Provide Cultural support, advocate for and facilitate culture into western system of care, support and advise individual healing from First Nation perspective;Development of culturally relevant tools, assessment and resource material, support land-based healing initiatives, language and cultural revitalization;Coordination of Cultural Services, direction, integration of cultural services across all wellness services, supervision, reporting;Provide Land based and culturally relevant healing resources and opportunities in partnership with communityProvide a program activity report, i.e. interim and year end;Provide cultural awareness and educational sessions to communities, and front line staff, cultural supports across wellness services and programs;   Provide information, updates, support and referrals as needed for IRS former students, 60 Scoop and day schools requesting assistance;Build relationships to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the culturally relevant services;Build networks and relationships with Aboriginal and non–Aboriginal groups while promoting awareness;Support community capacity building of cultural, traditional and ceremonial grounds, spaces and materials;Participate in strategic direction planning, implementation and coaching of community wellness teams;Support the development of staff cultural wellness/ education plan, recognize strengths and identify areas that need to be improved;Facilitate communities' strengths and wellness of their knowledge keepers and support a skills/ knowledge inventory of community's own elders, culture and language providers;Support and build capacity in community elder groups, community elder councils;Identification and implementation of appropriate Elder and traditional healing supports within the seven communities and urban setting;Maintain written records of all Relative interactions;Complete annual training required for positions such as crisis intervention training;Maintain confidentiality of records relating to Relatives and treatment plans at all times;Act as a patient advocate to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations;Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the reporting Director or designate on an as and when required basis. Working Environment: Standard office environment; regular travel (as required);May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including exposure to the AIDS and hepatitis B viruses;Interacts with residents, family members, staff, visitors, and government agencies/personnel under all circumstances, which may be traumatic situations.Physical Demands: (Insert what is appropriate)Freedom of movement; Keyboarding (>2 hrs at a time); ability to take breaks as necessary; Driving and sensory demands Health and Safety:  Rights: All Saskatoon Tribal Council employees have the right to information on potential hazards in the workplace, the right to participate in Occupational Health and Safety decisions, use personal protective equipment and clothing as directed by the employer, and the right to refuse dangerous work.Responsibilities: All employees must co-operate with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee; remain alert to changes or events that might affect a client or employee safety; report safety issues, accidents or injuries immediately; follow safe work practices, including the use of PPE; and use their training and knowledge to help other employees work safely as well. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIESExperience navigating paths to healing and work with communities using culturally informed strategies;Knowledge of the holistic wellness model, cultural pillars of healing and cultural forms of medicine;Knowledge of legislation and regulations related to Indigenous persons, including residential schools, the 60's scoop, child and family welfare system; knowledge of indigenous cultures, services, ways of healing and recovery;Knowledge of language, traditions and ceremony;High flexibility with strong interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse environment;Respected knowledge keeper, appointed by community;Ability to deal pleasantly and effectively with STC member First Nations, people of different ages and cultures, in potentially volatile and emotionally charged situations;Ability to maintain positive professional boundaries without imposing personal judgments and expectations;Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing; Ability to work individually as well as part of a team;Ability to work under extreme pressure and handle tense and stressful situations;Demonstrated time management skills;Highly self-motivated, energetic, organized, and detail oriented with an attitude for continuous improvement;High flexibility with strong interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse environment;High level of integrity and work ethic;Knowledge and experience with cultural integration into programming;Strong sense of ethics and the ability to handle sensitive or private information with tact and discretion;Knowledge of the political, social and economic objectives of the STC and of Dakota, Cree, and Salteaux cultures;Education and Experience: Experience fostering awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma related addiction/mental health among Indigenous community members – work to create paths to healing;Experience working effectively with culturally, economically, and socially diverse clients;Minimum of two (2) years working with clients with mental health and addiction issues;Degree in Social Work or Mental Health and Addictions Counselling Diploma, Mental Health and Wellness Diploma;Other 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) and vulnerable sector check as a condition of employment.