Job Description
The M’Wikwedong IFC is currently accepting applications for full-time position (35 hrs/wk) of Youth Life Promotion Program Coordinator.
M’Wikwedong IFC is an Indigenous not for profit organisation. We are culturally based and community focused, and committed to driving positive change for the community. As a staff member of M’Wikwedong IFC you will have opportunity for professional growth, access to Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and a generous benefit package.
Salary for this position is $55,000 – $60,000 depending on experience.
The Youth Life Promotion program is founded on principles of self-determination and cultural reclamation for urban Indigenous youth ages 13 – 24. A core aspect of Youth Life Promotion are Youth Culture Camps. The camps will provide youth with access to water and land-based activities. One-to one supports will be provided to individuals to prepare them for participation in group based activities as required. Another core aspect of Youth Life Promotion involves facilitating access to and knowledge exchanges with Elders and traditional knowledge keepers. These knowledges and ways of being are inherently active and will blend learning with being on the land.
Key Responsibilities:
• Supports youth ages 13-24 years of age by providing participant-based and one-to-one services that are responsive to the needs of clients.
• Works with Elders, traditional knowledge keepers and youth to co-develop and implement Youth Culture Camps that provide youth with water, land and community based activities specifically on traditional teachings, language reclamation and food education.
• Facilitates sharing circles that include formative teaching and discussion opportunities of cultural knowledge through storytelling, traditional teachings and peer-based activities.
• Utilises a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach that promotes the development of youth as leaders.
• Provides wrap-around services and a strengths-based, trauma-informed action plan for each individual clients.
• Supports the creation and development of programming for Two-Spirit and Indigenous 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth.
• Promotes awareness and ensure access to the program through a variety of outreach efforts and promotional activities.
• Always ensures appropriate supervision of clients and activities and to submit Serious Occurrence Reports (SOR) or Enhanced Serious Occurrence Report (ESOR) to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) and the OFIFC as required.
• Accurately reports and ensures all program objectives are being met.
• Outreaches and engages community partners and stakeholders as it pertains to the needs of the youth served and the program deliverables.
• Ensures all service activities utilises culture throughout all junctures of planning and delivery.
• Utilises quarterly reporting tools and database (if applicable) to input all data as required.
Qualifications:
• Possess a post-secondary education in Indigenous studies, social work, child and youth work or combination of the equivalent and relevant education.
• The candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated and related work experience with children and youth.
• Strong knowledge and awareness of Indigenous cultures, histories and the impacts of colonisation with a particular emphasis on child, family and community wellbeing (eg. intergenerational trauma and trauma, child welfare, family violence, youth and the criminal justice system).
• Knowledge of traditional teachings, particularly in the areas of water and land-based activities, traditional medicines, language reclamation and food education.
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with child welfare agencies in Ontario.
• Basic understanding of the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA) and Ontario Children’s Aid Societies with particular emphasis of impact on Indigenous families.
• Satisfactory vulnerable sector check.
M’WIKWEDONG IFC is a highly flexible organization offering additional compensation including paid cultural days, 4 paid holidays beyond mandatory Employment Standards, paid shutdown over the Christmas holiday week, and health benefits. M’WIKWEDONG IFC health benefits are offered to full time permanent employees, employees will be able to enroll upon the successful completion of their (3) three-month probationary period.
M’WIKWEDONG IFC is committed to providing work environment in concert with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. As such, M’Wikwedong IFC will make accommodations available to applicants with disabilities upon request during the recruitment process.
M’WIKWEDONG IFC strives to ensure that its employment practices are free from direct and indirect discrimination and is committed to upholding the human rights of those participating in the hiring process. In pursuit of this commitment, M’Wikwedong IFC will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.
Since this position is engaged primarily in serving the interests of Indigenous people, M’WIKWEDONG IFC shall give preference to Indigenous people who possess the requisite skill sets and experience.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not used by MIFC to screen, assess, or select applicants for this role.
To Apply: Position is open until filled
Please submit a complete package that includes:
• Cover letter and resume in Word or PDF format
• 3 references (two work related and 1 character)
By Email:
hrdirector@mwikwedong.com
Re: Youth Life Promotion Program Coordinator in the subject line
By Mail:
CONFIDENTIAL- Youth Life Promotion Program Coordinator.
Human Resources Director
M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre
1045 3rd Ave. West, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5W6
NOTE:
• All applications will be screened based on receiving a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE.
• Only those contacted will be granted an interview.
• A registered member of a First Nation as per Section 16 (1) of the Human Rights Act is preferred.
• All applicants understand and agree that by submitting a job application; at their cost, the successful candidate will be required to submit a clear Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check (Level 3) as a condition of employment.
Company Description
M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre subscribes to the following principles:
It is a community-directed organization, defines itself as a Friendship Centre and its aims and objectives are consistent with those of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC).
It first and foremost respects and honours all Indigenous beliefs and customs, and acts and speaks with the pride and dignity that Indigenous heritage demands.
It is committed to information-sharing, referrals, recreation and social activities, cultural reinforcement, community development and all other activities which ensure that Indigenous people a better quality of life through Indigenous self-determination.
It supports unity among all Indigenous people without regard to the legal distinction which may be drawn between Status and
Non-Status individuals or among Metis, Indigenous or Inuit people. It offers its programming, services, counselling, information, etc to all Indigenous people.
It supports and works toward achieving the stated aims and objectives of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.
It is tolerant to diversity, forthright in expressing its views on particular issues and respectful of the opinions of other Friendship Centres and Indigenous groups even though they may disagree.
It will bring any grievances, comments or complaints relating to the Ontario Federation of Friendship Centre to the attention of the OFIFC Board of Directors. Likewise any grievance, comment or criticism that the OFIFC has relating to the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre will be brought to the attention of the Centre’s Board of Directors.
It endeavours to work in a cooperative manner with other Indigenous organizations and groups and non-Indigenous organizations and groups towards creating a human society. The Centre offers equal opportunity for participation, tolerance towards differences, and has respect for all living things.
Its members and representatives must honour and respect the commitments of the M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre to the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.
The M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Center will promote mental, physical, spiritual and emotional well-being, and will serve as a teaching and learning place whose board of Directors and staff will facilitate the empowerment of the Owen Sound Urban Indigenous population in it's reclamation of Indigenous cultures and practices by organizing heritage, language and wellness projects which will welcome all interested participants.
