Indigenous Cultural and Community Partnerships Specialist

Navigate Complexities. Create Change. Together. This is our purpose at CUPS. Our unique integrated approach to care empowers people to work holistically to create and achieve goals that support their well-being and builds readiness to navigate and access support in the community. As a formative presence, we work together to build better systems and a stronger community.

Clients depend on us, supporters trust us, and partners count on our collaboration. We do not take this responsibility lightly – we are accountable for our words, our actions, our relationships, and most importantly, ourselves. Through a compassionate lens, we afford every person dignity in their interactions with us. We proactively seek opportunities for continuous learning with open minds and transformative spirits. Through our culture, rooted in our values, we will achieve our purpose and ambition.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an Indigenous Cultural and Community Partnerships Specialist to join our team at CUPS, commencing early- to mid-January 2026.

As the Indigenous Cultural and Community Partnership Specialist, you will strengthen CUPS' commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by guiding the organization to meaningfully integrate Indigenous perspectives, knowledge systems, and relationships into our culture, strategy, and service delivery.

You will support the development and implementation of CUPS' Indigenous Strategy - a key component of our Strategic Plan - ensuring that reconciliation and Indigenous ways of knowing are reflected across leadership, policy and direct client service. Grounded in the teachings of Treaty 7 territory, this role builds internal capacity, fosters reciprocal community partnerships, and walks alongside CUPS staff and leaders as we grow in cultural humility and shared responsibility.

At CUPS, the term Specialist reflects the organization-wide scope and strategic influence of this role, not a claim of expertise in Indigeneity.

Please read on to learn how you can make an impact in this role. If you are ready to apply, submit your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please describe your knowledge of local First Nations, Métis communities, and Indigenous organizations within Treaty 7 territory. If relevant, include any experience, community connections, or personal grounding that informs your approach to this work.

LOCATION: Onsite, CUPS Ave SW, Calgary

REPORTS TO: VP, Culture and Strategy

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent

SCHEDULE: Full-time, Mon to Fri, 37.5hours per week

STARTING SALARY or HOURLY RATE: $74,000 - $78,396

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Two-Eyed Seeing and Two Hands Doing approaches, bridging Indigenous and Western ways of knowing and doing in CUPS wrap-around health services
• Support the integration of Indigenous knowledge and Two-Eyed Seeing approaches into organizational learning, onboarding, and leadership development
• Support Operations Directors in co-creating culturally grounded program and service enhancements
• Facilitate appropriate protocols for engagement and ceremony, including guidance on requests to Elders, honoraria, and cultural gifts
• Review internal policies, practices, and communications through an Indigenous lens; recommend changes that advance reconciliation and equity
• Collaborate with Evaluation & Impact to incorporate Indigenous data sovereignty principles (OCAP) and culturally relevant indicators of success
• Partner with the Communications team to authentically reflect Indigenous voices, stories, and perspectives in CUPS materials
• Advise on ethical engagement, storytelling, and data collection practices related to Indigenous clients and communities.
• Model and teach parallel processes that honour both cultural and clinical modalities in healing.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives to embed Indigenous ways of being and knowing into CUPS' strategic priorities.

Areas of leadership and influence:

• Lead CUPS' learning journey in cultural awareness, cultural safety, and Indigenous relational practices.
• Provide guidance to ensure organizational readiness for cultural engagement — including protocols, ceremony, and relationship practices
• Build cultural competency across teams, supporting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff in learning, unlearning, and walking together.
• Nurture and maintain reciprocal relationships with local Indigenous communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous-serving organizations.
• Work alongside leaders to ensure organizational strategies, policies, and initiatives uphold reconciliation commitments.
• Partner with CUPS leadership colleagues who lead organizational DEI initiatives to inform and align Indigenous strategy work with these efforts

Internal and External Engagement

• Act as a connector between CUPS and Indigenous partners to ensure programming aligns with community needs and strengths
• Represent CUPS in Indigenous networks and community events, strengthening visibility and trust
• Through understanding of the diversity of learning journeys, from a colonial journey and newcomers to Canada perspective, provides space for development and learnings while steadily maintaining path forward
• Develops and maintains effective partnerships with Organizational leaders

What You Bring:

• Lived experience as an Indigenous person with strong connections within local Indigenous communities.
• Cultural knowledge of Treaty 7 territory, the urban Indigenous population, and communities served by CUPS.
• Deep understanding of Indigenous protocols, gender roles, and how to respectfully make requests to Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Proven track record of collaboration within non-profit or health settings.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate cultural differences and promote mutual understanding.
• Awareness of cultural gifts, blessings, and transferred cultural rights, and the ability to guide others in their respectful use.
• Knowledge of Two-Eyed Seeing and Two Hands Doing approaches and their application in practice.
• Experience supporting capacity-building among Indigenous and non-Indigenous team members.
• Understanding of community connectedness and relationships with institutions across Treaty 7.
• Ability to articulate challenges of working within non-Indigenous organizations and examples of navigating those gaps constructively.
• Familiarity with OCAP principles and Indigenous data governance.
• Understanding of honorarium processes and ability to manage related budgets and community resourcing needs.

Employment Requirements:

Background Check

Work Conditions:

• Long periods of sitting, computer work
• Individual and collaborative team-based work
• Ability to work remotely from home 1 day per week after completion of orientation period
• May be exposed to information regarding trauma, hardship and stressful events

Ready to Join Us?

Submit your resume and cover letter, including your salary expectations.

We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $74,000.00-$78,396.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Do you have experience working with local Elders or Knowledge Keepers, including following appropriate cultural protocols?
• Have you worked within a non-Indigenous organization to advance Indigenous perspectives, cultural safety, or community partnerships?
• Do you have experience supporting learning, development, or capacity building for Indigenous and/or non-Indigenous staff?

Work Location: In person