Indigenous Support Coordinator

Are you a changemaker? Come on INN!

Who Are We?
We're an amazing team, doing amazing things every day. Inn from the Cold is the largest organization in the Calgary region dedicated to supporting families experiencing a housing crisis.

At Inn from the Cold, we offer more than a job; we provide an opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Our values guide us — compassion, accountability, respect, inclusivity, courage, and innovation. We are driven by our vision of a thriving community where every child and family has a safe and stable place to call home.

We prioritize people, recognizing the uniqueness and worth of everyone who walks through our doors. Our commitment to reconciliation and equity is not just a statement; it's a journey we're dedicated to, actively working alongside Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures. As a trauma informed organization, we create a safe and supportive environment, promoting healing and resilience.

We are a multidisciplinary team united by a shared vision, mission and values. Collaboration is at the heart of our work, and we believe that diverse perspectives drive our success. It is this diversity and the respect and value we have for each other and our community that makes us stronger.

If this sounds like a place where you would want to work, please review the position below to see if there's a fit with your skills and experience.

What Are We Looking For?

• Position Title Indigenous Support Coordinator
  
• Job Type Full Time
  
• Department Programs
  
• Reports to Manager, Indigenous Engagement

Position Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Engagement, the Indigenous Support Coordinator is a champion for Indigenous families, providing culturally sensitive support for those accessing The Inn's programs. Key responsibilities include assessing families' needs, facilitating connections to Indigenous resources and services, integrating traditional knowledge into program practices, and leading cultural activities to strengthen families' connections to their culture and identity.

The Indigenous Support Coordinator plays a vital role in advocating for Indigenous families, fostering community relationships, and contributing to the organization's mission of providing comprehensive supports that honour diverse cultural perspectives and unique life experiences for families.

What You'll Do

Indigenous Family Support

• Meet with Indigenous families accessing programs at Inn from the Cold to assess their needs and provide culturally sensitive support, including navigation of Indigenous systems and connection to resources.
• Collaborate with the Shelter and Housing teams to support the needs of Indigenous families from an Indigenous and culturally sensitive lens.
• Actively promote Indigenous resiliency and well-being and integrate traditional knowledge and ways of knowing into daily program practices and service delivery, providing guidance and mentorship to families and staff as needed.
• Develop rapport and model healthy professional relationships and boundaries with families and colleagues.
• Integrate various roles, including coaching, mentoring, liaising, advocating, providing resources, and facilitating to effectively support Indigenous families

Cultural Support and Program Delivery

• Facilitate direct connection to Elders, Knowledge Keepers and ceremonies for Indigenous families.
• Coordinate, plan, and facilitate weekly cultural activities to help families strengthen their connection to culture.
• Facilitate daily smudge on 3rd floor shelter space for families.
• Coordinate and provide all cultural supplies, including tobacco, cloth and traditional medicines to INN families.
• Coordinate and prepare honorariums and gifts for Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• Connect with Cultural Facilitators to deliver programming and offer workshops to support the engagement of families with programming.
• Contribute to the planning of gatherings for families and the community at large.
• Facilitate weekly smudge for staff.

Documentation

• Complete and maintain accurate documentation regarding families using a variety of systems (HOMES, Program Drive, HMIS).
• Ensure all appropriate referral documentation is complete, including relevant tracking sheets.
• Collect and maintain data for reporting purposes.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.

Organizational Commitment

• Maintain and build strong interpersonal relationships with coworkers and supervisors to build a team that collaborates to support families.
• Be a champion for Indigenous families and services as a team member of Inn from the Cold.
• Support team curiosity, learning and engagement with Indigenous culture and ceremony and provide opportunities for staff to develop and enhance their knowledge, skills and understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories.
• Participate in organizational activities, including supervision, employee engagement activities, team meetings, town halls, and team building.
• Participate in professional development opportunities.
• Practice reflective of Inn from the Cold vision, mission and core values.
• Participate in development opportunities.

This position description reflects the general duties of the position, but it is not intended to be a detailed description of all duties that may be inherent in the position. The Indigenous Support Coordinator will be asked to perform other duties as required or assigned.

What You Bring to Our Mission

• While all qualified candidates will be considered, priority will be given to Indigenous candidates.
• A combination of relevant education and experience working with Indigenous families in the human services sector.
• Knowledge of, and willingness to engage in Indigenous cultural traditions.
• Experience working with Indigenous people, communities and organizations and a strong network of relationships in the Indigenous community.
• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and issues.
• Current First Aid/ CPR training is an asset
• Police check and Child Intervention check required for employment.
• Adhere at all times to The Inn's Policies, Procedures and Code of Conduct.
• Complete all required training as assigned, such as Indigenous Awareness, Brain Story, conflict de-escalation, harm reduction, etc.
• Flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays to deliver programming
  

What We Offer
We provide people with meaningful work and are committed to offering equitable benefits and total compensation to all staff, including:

• Competitive salary, where all employees are paid a living wage at minimum
  
• Focus on health and wellbeing, including access to employer paid extended health benefits, dental benefits, annual health spending account and employer matched RRSP contributions
  
• Commitment to your mental wellbeing with free and confidential support through the Employee & Family Assistance Program
  
• Work life balance, including paid vacation starting at three weeks, wellness days, and 12 paid statutory holidays
  
• Supportive and flexible work environment, with ongoing training and development opportunities
  
• Potlucks, celebrations, employee engagement initiatives and plenty of fun
  
• Strong commitment to advancing reconciliation, aligning with the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  
• Recognition that people are a combination of many intersecting identities; we work to cultivate an environment that welcomes the whole person and harnesses the strength in diversity, creating a rich and inclusive workplace
  

Our Commitment
Join us in a workplace where your actions contribute to breaking down barriers, fostering equity, and creating a truly inclusive and antiracist space. At Inn from the Cold, you're not just an employee but a crucial part of a community, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The INN is deeply committed to building a workplace where inclusion is valued and prioritized. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about our mission and can contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value unique perspectives and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of talents and skills. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, place of origin, source of income, mental and physical disability, age or veteran status.

Join Our Team
We are excited to hear from you! We invite you to join our movement to end family homelessness in our city. If you are passionate about making a difference and meet the qualifications above, please submit your resume and cover letter by clicking ‘Apply Now'.

The successful candidate must satisfactorily complete a Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the successful candidate is found.

Inn from the Cold is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. To request an accommodation, please contact us at [email protected] before your interview.