Program Director

About Slaxin Lelum

Slaxin Lelum “Medicine House” (Metro Vancouver Indigenous Services Society “MVISS”) We honour each person's story, respect human dignity, and recognize that every experience is unique. We strive to meet people where they are, support one another, and build authentic relationships that strengthen community and collective wellness.

Through Indigenous teachings, harm reduction practices, education, ceremony, and community partnerships, we create opportunities for healing that honour culture, identity, and belonging.

Position Summary

Reporting to the CEO, the Program Director provides executive leadership in developing, implementing, and sustaining culturally grounded programs. The incumbent develops strategic initiatives that reflect the aspirations and self-determination of Urban Indigenous peoples in Metro Vancouver. This role is focused on creating opportunities that support holistic Indigenous wellness, advance community priorities, and strengthen pathways to long-term social, cultural, and economic wellbeing.

The Program Director also supports a diverse team of counsellors and front-line staff who deliver Indigenous-centered wellness services. Building trust and strong working relationships with these professionals is essential to ensuring that services are trauma-informed, culturally safe, and rooted in holistic Indigenous approaches to healing.

Unlike solely clinical leadership positions, this role emphasizes advocacy, strategic planning, organizational development, and community engagement, while ensuring that counselling services are integrated into a broader vision of community wellbeing and Indigenous self-sufficiency serving as a role model to clients and personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Are but not limited to:

Program & Service Development

• Guide the detailed design, implementation, and evaluation of culturally relevant programs that respond to the needs and aspirations of Urban Indigenous peoples.
• Ensure services reflect Indigenous knowledge systems (on-reserve and off-reserve), traditional teachings, and prioritizes community and wellness team input.
• Build client centred programs for the organization to deliver impactful, culturally safe, and accessible services.

Counselling & Wellness

• Collaborate with the Cultural Programs Lead to co-administer Indigenous traditional values into organized client programs.
• Foster trust, inclusiveness, and professional development among staff delivering trauma-informed and culturally safe supports alongside the Clinical Supervisor.
• Maintain oversight of the client database, program evaluation, and reporting requirements related to wellness services.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Strengthen relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Host Nations and community members to reform program and service design.
• Build and maintain relationships with other organizations and stakeholders to identify additional resources for clients and opportunities to strengthen community driven initiatives.
• Ensuring the ongoing support and resourcing of relevant MVAEC initiatives as they pertain to shared strategic priorities.
• Mentor practicum student(s) with Indigenous values they can use in their career ventures.
• Lead special projects as assigned by CEO.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Indigenous communities, histories, and contemporary issues in Metro Vancouver (reserve, treaty, and urban).
• Post-secondary education in Indigenous studies, social sciences, business administration, counselling, psychology, or equivalent combination of education and lived/professional experience.
• Sole proprietorship of databases and ability to produce hybrid reports to the board, funders, and transparency to the public while assuring client security/confidence.
• Seasoned leadership experience in program development, organizational planning, or community-based service delivery within Indigenous contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement budgets and presentations.
• Experience leading or supporting teams of counsellors, social workers, or clinical professionals.
• Deep understanding of the Mental Health Act and related legislature.
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical practices.

Personal Attributes

• Grounded in Indigenous values, teachings, and respect for diverse worldviews.
• Policy, proposal and grant writing will be considered an asset.
• Takes initiative and community goal driven with clinical practice background.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Harm Reduction response strategist.

Conditions of Employment

• Current Criminal Record Check.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with some off-site meetings, programs or events.
• Some evenings/weekends for programs or events.
• Ability to travel within Metro Vancouver as required.

Please submit your Resume and Cover letter to: hr@mvaec.ca

Closing date: Open until filled.

www.slaxinlelum.ca

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Preference may be given to qualified Indigenous applicants per section 41 of the Human Rights Code.