FT Cultural Foundations Coordinator

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multi-service Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by integrating traditional and western health practices to support balanced well-being. SOAHAC serves Indigenous people living on and off-reserve, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, across the Southwest, Waterloo-Wellington, and Erie St. Clair regions. Our mandate is to ensure that health services are accessible, high-quality, and culturally appropriate while strengthening healthcare capacity within Indigenous communities.

Reporting to the Traditional Healing Manager and working closely with the Indigenous Cultural Safety Facilitator, the Cultural Foundations Coordinator plays a vital role in advancing culturally safe practices and Indigenous cultural competency within SOAHAC and the communities we serve. This role is responsible for facilitating meaningful engagement with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Cultural Practitioners, and community partners to develop, preserve, and promote Indigenous traditions in healthcare settings. Additionally, the Coordinator will be instrumental in gathering and integrating client and community feedback to ensure culturally appropriate, high-quality care.

RESPONSIBLITIES

Support for Cultural Foundations

The Cultural Foundations Coordinator will provide direct support to the Traditional Healing Manager in development of culturally safe practices, strengthening relationships with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and community partners, and ensuring that Indigenous traditions are integrated into healthcare settings. This role is essential in gathering and incorporating community feedback, enhancing cultural wellness initiatives, and guiding the development of culturally responsive programming at SOAHAC. Key areas of support include:

• Facilitate Cultural Engagement: Lead the coordination and facilitation of cultural engagement sessions, circles, and organization-wide gatherings to strengthen culturally safe practices for staff, clients, and communities.

• Support and Implement Cultural Protocols: Work collaboratively with Knowledge Keepers and Cultural Practitioners to develop, refine, and implement cultural protocols and best practices within the Cultural Foundations Manual and Cultural Orientation Plan

• Advocate for Culturally Safe Healthcare: Engage in local, regional, and organizational committees to promote culturally safe healthcare services and advance the SafeSpace Network across southwestern Ontario.

• Integrate Community Feedback: Coordinate and support the facilitation of engagement circles, ensuring that feedback from Indigenous community members informs the continuous improvement of SOAHAC’s cultural wellness initiatives.

• Promote Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous healthcare organizations by building relationships based on trust, reciprocity, and reconciliation principles.

Support for Indigenous Cultural Safety

As part of the Indigenous Cultural Safety team, the Cultural Foundations Coordinator will provide direct support to the Indigenous Cultural Safety Facilitator to ensure the effective implementation of Indigenous Cultural Safety initiatives by:

• Strengthening Partnerships & Collaboration: Assisting in the coordination of the Truth and Reconciliation Circle (TRC), with Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders committed to reconciliation efforts.

• Facilitating Cultural Safety Training & Education: Supporting logistics, participant coordination, and resource management for Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) workshops.

• Supporting Organizational Development (OD) Plans: Assisting TRC members in conducting self-assessments, compiling data from the SafeSpaces App, and facilitating OD plan development to advance systemic change within healthcare organizations.

• Ensuring Sustainability of Cultural Safety Initiatives: Organizing Think Tank Sessions to promote the long-term sustainability of the TRC, ensuring continued accountability and fostering networks of support among Indigenous and non-Indigenous healthcare leaders.

• Enhancing Traditional Approaches to Health: Supporting the adaptation and implementation of Protocols for Working with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, ensuring cultural responsiveness through consultation with the Wise Practices Circle.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health, or a related field.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience working in a First Nation community, Indigenous organization, healthcare, or social services sector developing and delivering cultural programs.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in project management, coordination, or administration, preferably in a healthcare, Indigenous wellness, or community-based setting.

• Strong knowledge of Indigenous cultures, traditional healing practices, and wholistic wellness approaches.

• Experience working with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, Cultural Practitioners, and community leaders.

• Experience in circle facilitation is considered an asset.

• Demonstrated facilitation and presentation skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.

• Strong organizational, time management, and planning skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication abilities, including professional report writing.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and virtual collaboration tools.

• Ability to adapt to changing environments and work within a team or independently.

• Willingness to participate in ceremonies, teachings, and ongoing Indigenous learning.

• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.

• Clean and current vulnerable sector police check (or willingness to obtain).

• Up-to-date immunization records, including COVID-19 vaccinations (as required by SOAHAC policy).

Why Join SOAHAC?

• Work in a supportive, culturally rich environment dedicated to Indigenous health and wellness.

• Engage in meaningful work that integrates traditional and western healing practices.

• Contribute to the growth and sustainability of Indigenous cultural programs.

• Be part of a team that values collaboration, respect, and cultural integrity.

This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer; however, hiring preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants.  SOAHAC is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please advise Human Resources.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to:

Email: careers@soahac.on.ca

Subject line: Cultural Foundations Coordinator

Or mail to: Human Resources

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre

493 Dundas Street,

London, ON N6B 1W4

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We thank all those for applying but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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