This is a shared position whereby the successful candidate will work a rotating schedule (3 days and 2 days) between, two partner agencies, Indigenous Perspectives Society & Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services.

Located on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen people, Indigenous Perspectives Society (IPS) is a charitable and not-for-profit social enterprise that offers training, consulting, and projects to help foster a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives, cultural differences, and the need for self-determination. By creating excellence through training and leadership, we help strengthen lives and build successful relationships in the communities we serve.

Located on the traditional territories of the Lkwungen people, Surrounded by Cedar Child & Family Services (SCCFS) strives to provide child and family services strongly rooted in Indigenous cultural values and worldviews while ensuring urban Indigenous children and youth grow up connected to family, community and culture. As an urban Delegated Aboriginal Agency and through its delegation agreement, SCCFS administers C4 services under the Child, Family and Community Services Act (CFCSA). All delegated work is guided by the Aboriginal Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI). At present, Surrounded by Cedar does not deliver child protection (C6) services.

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Executive Directors, the Indigenous Knowledge Keeper will have a range of responsibilities within both organizations and will be dedicated to advising and guiding the leadership of the workplaces toward a more focused and knowledgeable approach to working with the local Indigenous community.

In working with IPS, the Indigenous Knowledge Keeper will be an integral part of a team working to create a training model rooted in cultural understanding for staff and volunteers.

In working with SCCFS, the Indigenous Knowledge Keeper will provide a range of cultural support to all program areas, while offering support, guidance, advice and encouragement to all agency staff, children and youth in care, caregivers and birth family members.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Act as cultural advisor, providing strategic advice to all levels of leadership, in order to nurture a better understanding of the specific needs of Indigenous communities.
• Provide cultural support, either one to one, or in a group, to employees who have experienced mental, spiritual, emotional or physical crises and/or traumatic events or to staff who are the subject of cumulative stress or vicarious trauma.
• Help to break down stigma and systemic barriers and provide support and guidance on culturally appropriate services and programs.
• Participate in the delivery of training and/or culturally appropriate workshops as needed.
• Strengthen the capacity and work of immersion with Indigenous practices and ways of being.
• Collaborate with employees in the preparation of agency ceremonies and/or events and ensure that appropriate cultural contacts are in place to honour the traditional territories upon which these ceremonies and/or events will take place.
• Provide a positive, culturally relevant experience for staff
• Participate in communication and conflict resolution process
• Participate in staff wellness
• Inform policies and policy development
• Maintain the confidentiality of all employees, contractors, children and youth in care, birth family members, caregivers, and other community partners.
• Maintain the Healing Rooms of both agencies using traditional forms of healing and wellness.

Desired Qualities, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the child welfare systems in British Columbia, including Indigenous child welfare and child protection
• Recognized and respected by his/her own community as someone who has lived experienced and a learned understanding of Indigenous culture and their traditional teachings and they carry themselves within community according to those teachings.
• Knowledge of or familiarity with Indigenous languages of the local territory.
• Extensive knowledge of the history and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Canada
• Knowledge of agencies, programs and supports for the Indigenous community.
• Engage as a healthy member of both agencies with a strong, demonstrated ability to work respectfully with stakeholders, co-workers, students, community Knowledge Keepers, children, youth, birth family members, caregivers and allies.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and serve as a positive role model and mentor for community members and colleagues.
• Strong relationship building skills, facilitating traditional forms of dispute resolution as necessary.
• Maintain a set schedule of hours.
• Must complete a satisfactory criminal record check that provides clearance for work with vulnerable populations, including children.
• Must be willing to work from different locations, including the IPS and SCCFS offices.

Compensation/Working Conditions:

• Salary: $60,000 per annum.
• The Indigenous Knowledge Keeper will be based in-house, rotating their schedule between both organizations. They will be considered an employee of the societies and therefore subject to the policies and workplace standards in place for all employees.

Job Description – 2019 Knowledge Keeper JD

As per Section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, and based on the uniqueness of this role, only applicants who self-identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit will be selected for an interview.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter indicating their interest and qualifications for the position by December 27, 2019 to rachelled@ipsociety.ca, or mail to 664 Granderson Road, Victoria BC, V9B 2R8.

For all Indigenous Perspectives Society employment opportunities visit https://ipsociety.ca/about/employment/