EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Liaison Unit Director

Full Time Location: Winnipeg, MB or Thompson, MB

Under the direction of the MKO Executive Director, theMMIWG Liaison/Director will lead and support the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Liaison Unit at Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO). This role involves providing leadership, expertise, and coordination to ensure culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and dignified health and wellness services are delivered to families, survivors, and communities affected by MMIWG and gender-based violence.

The MMIWG Liaison/Director will work directly with survivors of gender-based violence, families of MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals and impacted communities across Manitobaincluding First Nations, Inuit, Mtis, Non-Status, and non-Indigenous people. The incumbent will assist families and survivors in accessing services such as short-term counselling, safety planning, risk assessments, and referrals to appropriate community programs and supports. They will also provide general information about the criminal justice system and support families in navigating complex systems to obtain answers and updates related to their loved ones.

This role involves liaising with a variety of external partnersincluding Victim Services, the Winnipeg Police Service Family Liaison Contact, the RCMP, Indigenous-led organizations, legal aid services, healthcare providers, and social service agenciesto ensure families questions and concerns are addressed in a timely, respectful, and coordinated manner.

The MMIWG Liaison/Director will also support the implementation of MKO Assembly and Executive Council resolutions related to MMIWG and will carry out directives and recommendations from the MKO Executive Council to address systemic issues impacting MKO First Nations.

Role and Responsibilities

Client Contact

• Provide and/or arrange the provision of short-term safe and culturally appropriate mental wellness supports for MMIWG2S+ families and survivors of gender-based violence, while respecting individual and family beliefs, traditions, customs, and spirituality.
• Respond to requests and provide information about community programs/services to MMIWG2S+ family members and survivors of gender-based violence as required.
• Review and assess all incoming referrals/diversions for suitability/eligibility for Program.
• Act as a liaison between MMIWG2S+ family members and external agenciesincluding Victim Services, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Family Liaison Contact, and other relevant government departments or law enforcement agenciesto ensure timely communication and that families questions and concerns are addressed appropriately.
• Respond to urgent concerns of family members by identifying their immediate physical, social, and emotional needs and strategize how these needs may be met.
• Be knowledgeable and provide general information regarding the Criminal Justice system, short-term counselling, risk assessments, safety planning, and provide referrals to community programs as required.
• Provide family members with an overview of the range of community and Justice-related programs, services, and supports available.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver healing, wellness, and other related workshops and programming to individuals impacted by MMIWG2S+ and survivors of gender-based.
• Refer MMIWG2S+ families and survivors of gender-based violence to Elders, Traditional Healers, and Knowledge Keepers as requested and provide ongoing follow.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate in-person meetings with families of MMIWG2S+ and community agencies to ensure families receive comprehensive wraparound supports.
• Attend, support, and plan community events and gatherings in support of MMIWG2S+ family members.
• Partner with community agencies to providing healing opportunities and wellness supports for MMIWG2S+ families and survivors of gender-based violence.

Developing and Monitoring Case Management Plans

• Exercise independent and collaborative decision-making skills to prioritize cases and to determine the most appropriate course of action.
• Assist individuals or families in developing wellness and safety plans, including setting wellness goals to cope with negative emotions.
• Address emotional variability by defusing situations and debriefing with MMIWG2S+ families and survivors of gender-based violence in a dignified, trauma-informed, and respectful manner.
• Document all contacts with designated individuals, other family members, or staff from allied agencies, noting: information provided, assistance offered, referrals, etc.
• Provide updates and information about the police procedures and the court process, and explain the complexities of the justice system and assist individuals and families in understanding legal decisions.
• Attend Court hearings and provide and/or arrange health and cultural support for impacted families.

Intra/Inter-department and Agency Collaboration and Coordination

• Create and maintain positive working relationships with agency professionals who are also working with families who have missing or murdered loved ones and survivors of gender-based violence.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with funders, stake holders, police, and any others involved in the issue of MMIWG.
• Raise awareness on the issue of MMIWG and gender-based violence through the facilitation of presentations, workshops, large and small group discussions, and awareness campaigns.
• Identify gaps, best practices, and protocols for providing services to impacted MMIWG2S+ families and survivors of gender-based violence in a culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and dignified manner.
• Update the Police with regard to any incidents involving MMIWG as required.
• Attend inter-agency meetings as required.
• Attend community events/training as required.

Program Management

• Manage, direct, supervise, and support MKO MMIWG Liaison Unit staff.
• Work under the supervision of the Executive Director.
• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Director of the MMIWG Liaison Unit.
• Provide monthly written reports to the Executive Director on the status of the Unit.
• Assist in drafting and finalizing grant and funding proposals, provide support in finalizing project related reporting, and collaborate and provide updates to funding department officers as necessary.
• Perform various office administration duties as required, including filing, recording, drafting correspondence and gathering statistics.
• Follow through with any recommendations/directives from the Executive Council.
• Work with the Portfolio Chief and provide updates on the Unit.

Other Responsibilities:

• Travel to remote/isolated First Nations communities throughout Manitoba, usually at very short notice.
• Commit to continuous learning on the issue of MMIWG, violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, and exploitation and human trafficking, including best practices in supporting impacted families and survivors.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and keeps detailed notes of client and stakeholder interactions, while ensuring the secure handling and storage of confidential documents.
• Maintain strict confidentiality as outlined under The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) and The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
• Maintain compliancy with governmental Child Abuse Disclosure requirements at all times.
• Participate in ongoing professional development and training as provided by MKO.
• Assist other team members and carry out other duties as needed and assigned.

Education and Experience

• Minimum completion of post-secondary education in the Social Sciences/Services field; Social Work is preferred; other diploma in Human Service, such as in the areas of gender-based violence, psychology, crisis intervention, individual/group counselling, community development, or program delivery will be considered.
• Ideally 3-5 years experience working in a crisis response environment.
• Strong understanding of the issue of MMIWG, including an understanding of the impacts of colonization on the safety of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
• Advanced understanding of the impacts of gender-based violence on the individual, family, and community and experience working with Indigenous survivors of gender- based violence.
• Awareness of the various formal processes that have taken place to address the issue of MMIWG, including the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan: Ending Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, and various regional and local initiatives.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with organizations that provide assistance, support, and services to survivors of gender-based violence, families of MMIWG, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.
• Ability to identify and address gaps in services for survivors of gender-based violence, families of MMIWG2S+, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, including developing protocols for service delivery agencies.
• Experience in public speaking engagements, specifically with the media and justice system.
• Advanced knowledge about the impacts of unresolved loss, trauma, and grief as it relates to having a missing or murdered family member.
• Awareness of the issues concerning victimization and exploitation and its impacts.
• Effective crisis intervention skills.
• Exceptional counselling skills.
• Possess a valid Manitoba Drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Ability to comply with all MKO policies and procedures.
• Ability to travel and work flexible hours as required.
• Working knowledge of Internet, E-mail, and other business related computer software.
• Understanding of, or commitment to learning, First Nations traditional healing practices and models of wellness.
• Current criminal record, child abuse, and vulnerable sector check, including clearance to work with vulnerable women, youth, and children.

Salary is dependent on qualifications and experience

Interested applicants are invited to submit their cover letter identifying the position applying for and resume, along with 3 professional reference listings (include a most recent employer reference) by 4:00 p.m. on July 31, 2025.

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Preference will be given to qualified First Nations applicants; applicants are encouraged to self-declare in their resume or cover letter. No phone calls will be accepted.

Incorporated in 1981 as the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO). MKO is a non-profit, political advocacy organization that provides a collective voice on issues of inherent, Treaty, Indigenous, and human rights for citizens of the 26 sovereign First Nations we represent. The MKO First Nations are signatory to Treaties 4, 5, 6, and 10.

Please visit our website at mkonation.com