An Elder/Knowledge Keeper at Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services works in collaboration with the Cultural Resource team. You are responsible for guiding our children, youth, families, member First Nations, Agency staff, and external partners on their cultural journeys.
What you will do:

• You will visit with families, meet with children and youth, listen to their concerns, and provide them cultural guidance, teachings, ceremony and knowledge.
• Act as a resource to provide cultural guidance to ensure the Agency consistently provides relevant and culturally appropriate services.
• Assist in the development of cultural plans, that reflect supporting the connection to one's cultural identity for children, youth, families, communities, and staff.
• Provide training/learning opportunities for Agency staff and cultural partners about cultural practices, teachings, ceremonies, and traditions that workers can implement in their day-to-day practices.
• Provide cultural support and guidance on all agency meetings and gatherings to guide discussions and decisions.
• You will document the good work you do with families in a transparent and concise manner.

Who you are:

• You are a compassionate First Nation, Métis or Inuit who is recognized and respected by your community. You lead by example, living a quality life that embodies our values, the Seven Grandfather teachings. You have a comprehensive understanding of our traditional Indigenous ways of knowing and being, including ceremonies, protocols, healing, medicines, the land, water, animals, seasons and all life.
• You may have a Bachelor of Social Work, or an Indigenous Studies degree, are working towards one, or you feel you possess the necessary cultural knowledge, skills and lived experience required for this role.
• You have experience working alongside families in crisis. You are an excellent communicator who values openness, honesty and transparency. You are knowledgeable about the child welfare system, and you wish to improve the overall well-being of our children, youth, families, communities and Nations.

Who we are:
We are a welcoming team of diverse peoples who each play an integral role in our service model and delivery. We consider ourselves helpers. Regardless of the role we carry, from front-line to administrative support, we honour our agency's name: Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag which means to look after and to always keep children at the centre of our thoughts.
Together we will be:
A team of Indigenous and Indigenous Ally professionals who lead with our hearts and minds. Together, we will transform child welfare to improve outcomes for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth, families, communities and Nations.
All the benefits for you and your family:

• 3 weeks vacation accrued throughout the year and additional paid days including wellness time.
• Extended health, dental and vision coverage; life insurance plan; and short and long term disability coverage.
• Collaborative work environment offering strong connections to internal and external partners.
• Competitive salaries with annual merit increases; Quarterly Wholistic Reviews to encourage personal and professional development.
• OMERS pension plan; Confidential Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Training and opportunities to deepen cultural knowledge and understanding including our unique curriculum, Indigenous Wholistic Practice.

Apply Today!
If you have any questions about the Elder/Knowledge Keeper position, please contact our HR Supervisor at [email protected] or (705) 295-7135. You may also email a copy of the completed application form, your resume and any other relevant materials to [email protected] by 4:30pm on Friday, May 23rd, 2025.
Here is the direct link to our fillable application in PDF - Job Application Form.
About Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services:

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag(Nog-dah-wen-mawg) (Bin-ooh-zhee-yug)Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services is a multi-service Indigenous Child Well-Being Agency. We provide a stable foundation for children, youth, and families, through wraparound services that are culturally based and family-focused.We seek to support our families in the way they deserve, with care and authenticity, and by recognizing and respecting spirit.We form a wholistic, inclusive, and nonjudgmental circle of care. We seek to honour and support those we serve, with a constant commitment to growing our base of knowledge and expertise. We are an agency that delivers culturally-intelligent services to our partner First Nation communities in Ontario. With our team of dedicated staff, we work with children, youth, and families as early as possible to help them navigate various obstacles and access services available to them. We offer services such as Child & Youth Mental Health and Addictions, Youth Justice, Youth in Transition, Child Welfare, and Alternative Care.