Indigenous Food Sovereignty Coordinator

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multiserviceIndigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing andpromoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live ina more balanced state of well-being. SOAHAC provides services to Indigenouspeople including those who live on and off reserve, status, non-status, Inuit,and Metis within the Southwest, Waterloo Wellington and Erie St Clair regions.  SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that healthservices are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. It isSOAHAC’s objective to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities.

Are you a knowledgeable anddriven individual who is passionate about making a tangible difference? We are looking for an Indigenous Food SovereigntyCoordinator (FSC)to join our team at our London site. Reporting to the IntegratedCare Manager and in conjunction with the Traditional Food Bag Program Lead the Food SovereigntyCoordinator (FSC) will beplay a central organizing role in this Indigenous-led, community-engagedresearch that is designed to support and expand the current activities ofSOAHAC’s Traditional Food Bag Program and food insecurity programs, byco-creating, operationalizing, and documenting a range of participatoryland-based activities related to traditional foods (e.g., cooking classes,gardening, and hunting/harvesting activities), thereby planting the seeds for Indigenousfood sovereignty for Indigenous people in the city of London, Ontario.

SOAHAC’s Traditional Food Bag (TFB)Program called “Minomode-zewin nunge-gehwin”, which translates to“healthy ways of eating” was created in 2021 as a response to the foodinsecurity needs of urban indigenous people, while also addressing their desirefor more traditional foods in their diets.

Why work with us?

• Make an Impact:     Your work will amplify SOAHAC’s mission, ensuring that Indigenous     communities have access to vital, wholistic health services.
• Innovative     and Collaborative Environment: Work     in a multidisciplinary setting that values the exchange of ideas,     innovation, and collective learning.
• Professional Growth:     Benefit from meaningful professional development opportunities in a     culturally rich environment that supports your career aspirations.
• Supportive Benefits     Package: Enjoy competitive pay, a     supportive benefits package, and meaningful time off to ensure your     personal well-being.

Whatwe’re looking for:

• Experience:     A minimum two (2) years experience     working with Indigenous People in Community Health Promotion, Community     Program Development, Social Services, or related field.
• Indigenous     Cultural Knowledge and Understanding: Knowledge     of culture and local Indigenous communities in Southwestern Ontario is     required.
• Cultural Sensitivity &     Awareness: A genuine respect for Indigenous     cultures and practices, with an openness to learning and engaging with     Indigenous communities. Experience with Indigenous communities is an     asset.
• Program Knowledge: Demonstrated     knowledge and understanding of issues contributing to food sovereignty and     Indigenous food practices. Knowledge of local Indigenous food practices an     asset. Experience facilitating group workshops required.
• Organization and Time Management: Demonstrated organization, time management, and     problem-solving skills that contribute to community engagement. Possess     ability to manage multiple projects and demands. Must have computer     literacy including skills in word processing, e-mail, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Teamwork and Collaboration:     You are a team player who can establish and maintain effective working     relationships with others and across teams.
• Communication: Excellent     interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact     positively with community members, management, and staff.
• Additional     Requirements: You have a valid driver’s license     and access to a vehicle, as travel within the region may be needed. You’ll     also need a clean police check and up-to-date immunizations and records.

Whatyou’ll do:

• Program     Functions: Planning, designing, organizing and     coordinating activities for a series of land-based activities and learning     spaces that expand the current offerings of the traditional foods and food     insecurity programs at SOAHAC to create rich, well-supported spaces to     grow and share knowledge associated with diverse traditional foods and     traditional foods practices. Build relationships with local     knowledge consultants, the TFB local advisory committee and research team     based at Western University.
• Collaboration     with Western University and the Canadian Institute of Health Research     (CIHR): Outputs will support key learnings and best     practices of the TFB Program, and they will be shared broadly with varied     audiences, including community health and health care practice, Indigenous     academic and policy contexts. Examples include: yearly reports, recipe     books, program video recordings, manuals and guides, participation in     conferences and professional meetings.
• Community     Engagement: Create opportunities to broadly share     learnings with community members.

Whatwe offer:

·        Cultural and Personal Development:SOAHAC offers a culturally supportive environment where personal andprofessional growth is encouraged. You’ll have the chance to make a lastingimpact on Indigenous communities while building your career.

·        Supportive Work Culture: Joina team that values collaboration, respect, and shared success. You’ll besupported every step of the way as you work to amplify SOAHAC’s message.

·        Inclusive Employment Practices:SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committedto providing accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code andthe Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

If you are ready to make a real difference in the lives ofIndigenous communities, amplify a message that matters, and be part of a teamdriving lasting change, we want to hear from you. Apply now and take the next step in your career withSOAHAC.

This job may require additionalresponsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal HealthAccess Centre.

SOAHAC is committed tofostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where all voices are heard. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous candidates, and we are proud tosupport diversity in all its forms. We provide employment and hiringaccommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and theAccessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodationto apply or participate in an assessment process, please advise HumanResources.

If you are interested in joining our team, send your resume and coverletter to:

Email:                         careers@soahac.on.ca

Subject line:                FT Indigenous Food SovereigntyCoordinator, London

Ormail to:                  Human Resources

                                         Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre

                                          493 Dundas Street,

                                          London, ON N6B 1W4

Please visit Southwest OntarioAboriginal Health Access Centre online at: www.soahac.on.ca orlike us on www.facebook.com/soahac tolearn more about us!

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

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