As a Mental Health Counsellor, you will have the unique opportunity to provide effective and comprehensive assessments, counselling, and case management to community members of Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) who are living with mental health and/or substance use issues. This role, which is part of an interdisciplinary care team, also involves collaborating with internal and external service providers, making it a dynamic and rewarding position.

Responsibilities:

• As a Mental Health Counsellor, you will play a crucial role in providing direct counselling to Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) members. Your assessments, treatments, referrals, and follow-ups, which primarily focus on individuals, families, or groups, will be instrumental in addressing mental health and substance use issues in the community.
• Provide counselling that often relates to crisis, trauma, suicide, domestic violence, sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.
• Provide or facilitate the provision of services through a culturally based framework
• Complete screening and comprehensive assessments for issues related to mental health, substance, and behavioural addictions; Develop wholistic, client-centered, individualized treatment plans.
• Facilitate individual and group counseling sessions focused on improved health and wellness using evidence-informed therapeutic techniques, and coordinate access and referrals to local community resources.

Qualifications:

• Master's level education and professional membership are an asset (MSW, RSW preferred) or related education at a masters level, such as counseling or psychology, combined with at least 3 years direct experience.
• Post-graduate Addictions degree, diploma, or equivalent experience would be an asset.
• Knowledge of Indigenous Traditional Teachings, Culture, including intergenerational trauma.
• 3-5 years of experience working with the Indigenous community using a wholistic model to incorporate traditional beliefs, values, and culture-based practices into the therapeutic work to promote wellness and healing.
• 3-5 years of experience working with mental health, including providing trauma-informed care.
• 3-5 years of experience and/or education in working with substance and/or behavioural addictions, including: concurrent disorders, stages of change, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and relapse prevention.
• Knowledge of and ability to use structured screening, assessment, and treatment tools.
• Experience in the delivery of both individual and group counseling using evidence-informed approaches

Skills:

• Strong understanding of colonization and its impacts on Anishinaabe communities (Intergenerational Trauma resulting from IRS, Day Schools, 60s Scoop, child welfare, etc.).
• Ability to make connections with community members; Ability to work and handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Responding to after-hours emergencies as required; Overtime, evening, and weekends as may be required from time to time.

Must provide a clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check upon hire.

For a complete job description, please email:[email protected]

Application Closing Date: August 11, 2025, at Noon.

Interested applicants must submit a current resume, cover letter, two (2) work-related references, one (1) character reference (with contact information), and applicable education diplomas/certifications to the address provided below.

Confidential: Mental Health Counsellor

Whitefish River First Nation

17-A Rainbow Ridge Road, P.O. Box 188; Birch Island, ON P0P1A0

Email: [email protected] Fax: (705)285-4532

Miigwetch (Thank You) to all who apply; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted