Indigenous Youth Cultural Resource Worker

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Supervisor, Native Youth Resource Centre the Indigenous Youth Cultural Resource Worker will provide virtual and land-based cultural guidance and support to Indigenous children, youth, families, and the agency staff. They will work closely with the Managers of Culture, Youth, and Early Years and Programs, as part of a growing team. The Indigenous Youth Cultural Resource Worker will be primarily responsible for providing cultural programming at our Native Youth Resource Centre, Scarborough Child and Family Services location and overseeing the downtown summer day camp program.

The Indigenous Youth Cultural Resource Worker will collaborate with other areas of the Agency to determine how they can best support the sharing of traditional values, knowledge, ceremonies, traditions and practices when building and guiding staff in their work with children, youth, families, community and partners.

The successful candidate will be a recognized and respected member of the Indigenous community and is someone who has lived experience and a learned understanding of Indigenous worldviews and traditional teachings and ceremonies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Organize, implement, and facilitate cultural workshops, ceremonies, healing circles and gatherings for community members
2. Provide support to staff to ensure youth programming reflects cultural understandings and focuses on cultural well-being
3. Support youth in navigating their life situations to prepare them to transition to adulthood.
4. Lead the downtown summer day camp program to during the months of July – August alongside camp counselors to ensure a safe, fun, and educational summer day camp experience.
5. Organize, implement, and facilitate day camp programming activities.
6. Coordinate access to Elders, Knowledge Carriers and others to meet the needs of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto’s community, children, youth, and families.
7. Ensure that youth and families receive appropriate cultural programming as requested.
8. Act as a resource and provide information to ensure that cultural knowledge, practices, and protocols are shared, understood and maintained.
9. Participate in the ongoing development and implementation of policies, procedures and best practices that are supportive and inclusive of the rich Indigenous cultures found on Turtle Island.
10. Providing conflict resolution and crisis management as required.
11. Must be available to work a minimum of two Saturdays per month, subject to program needs.
12. Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

Cultural Knowledge Requirements:

• Lived experiences as an Indigenous person with the ability to transfer traditional knowledge and teachings, respecting the unique Cultural distinctions and variations found throughout Turtle Island.
• Extensive knowledge of the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples including First Nation, Métis and Inuit.

Special skills:

• Excellent facilitation skills, especially in a Cultural setting (i.e. talking circles, teachings, knowledge transfer, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills that focus on relationship building
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent conflict resolution skills
• Ability and willingness to support both traditional and contemporary healing practices
• Ability to display a positive and helpful attitude
• Ability to use good judgment in assessing difficult situations
• Ability to guide and support individuals in their desires and efforts to incorporate Indigenous values and traditions into their lives and practices
• Special skills:
• Excellent facilitation skills, especially in a Cultural setting (i.e. talking circles, teachings, knowledge transfer, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills that focus on relationship building
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent conflict resolution skills
• Ability and willingness to support both traditional and contemporary healing practices
• Ability to display a positive and helpful attitude
• Ability to use good judgment in assessing difficult situations
• Ability to guide and support individuals in their desires and efforts to incorporate Indigenous values and traditions into their lives and practices

Qualifications:

• Experience working with Indigenous people, organizations and communities required
• Post-secondary education in Indigenous Studies or similar would be considered an asset
• Experience in a social services organization developing and delivering cultural programs and services would be considered an asset.
• This position requires the flexibility to be able to work evenings and weekends.
• Access to a car is an asset.

*Please note that the successful candidate is required to complete a background check.

Work Environment:

• Work involves minimal physical or psychological risk, which could result from unavoidable exposure to dangerous situations or hazardous, disagreeable or uncomfortable working conditions

Our Commitment:

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected ground. .
• In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Native Child will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities as required. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Human Resources at hrncfst@nativechild.org.
• We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Come join our team - and help create a difference in the community

Use of AI: NCFST may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with certain aspects of the hiring process, such as screening and assessments. These tools support our team but do not replace human judgment. We are committed to using AI responsibly, fairly, and in compliance with applicable employment and anti-discrimination laws. We regularly review these tools to help prevent bias or discrimination.