Indigenous Elders Advocate

FTE: Full-time permanent
Program: Non-Insured Health Benefits
Reporting To: Director of Non-Insured Health Benefits

Summary of Work:

Under the supervision of the Director, the Indigenous Elders Advocate works to affect change across local and provincial health care services to improve access to culturally appropriate care such as traditional healing practices. This position builds collaborative relationships with FNMI community elders and representatives so as to honour the community perspective and bring collaborative insight into enhancing indigenous programs and services. This role provides direct guidance and sharing of expert traditional cultural knowledge to the program’s staff, Executive Director, Senior and AHS Executive Leaders. The Indigenous Elder’s Advocate is expected to perform work of an advanced nature and complexity, with a strong ability to deal with highly complex problems or sensitive issues that have a broad impact on Indigenous health care. This role works collaboratively with many stakeholders at all levels in the Indigenous Wellness Core and contributes to the implementation of strategic directions. In addition, the role provides ongoing client support through traditional healing practices and ceremonies for patients, families and AHS’ workforce.

Personal Qualifications:

• Expertise in Traditionally earned understanding of Indigenous cultural beliefs, values, customs, traditions, spirituality, healing ways, ceremonies, traditional medicines and protocols. 
• Ability to perform traditional ceremonies 
• Knowledge of the complex political dynamics in Indigenous communities and organizations, and an understanding of how to create respectful and trusted relationships with such people and organizations. 
• Advanced communication, facilitation and negotiation skills. 
• Knowledge of how to respond to diverse cultural needs of a wide variety of Indigenous people. 
• Knowledge about the effects of colonization and residential schools, including intergenerational trauma. 
• Fluency in English and at least one Indigenous language. 
• Able to understand socioeconomic circumstances from any different geographical areas and many ways of relating and coping. 
• Facilitating in-services for staff and attending seminars on various topics. 
• Ability to work in a constantly changing environment with many interruptions and unpredictable circumstances. 
• Ability to stay calm and appropriately responsive in highly confrontational situations
• Strong interpersonal communication, teamwork. 
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality. 
• Strong awareness of appropriate professional and personal boundaries. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Professional Qualities:

• Minimum 5 years of experience providing Indigenous patient and cultural support.
• Post-secondary education in humanities and/or social sciences. Other applicable non-traditional educational preparation will be considered. 
• Experience in Indigenous counselling organizations, drug and alcohol treatment centres or other work experiences providing care for Indigenous peoples, training and experience in culturally appropriate counselling modalities. 
• Conflict resolution skills. 
• Courses in understanding and treatment of addictions, mental health and sacred boundaries. 
• Courses in understanding and treatment of generational trauma. 
• Other professional development/preparation e.g. mental health First Aid, ASSIST, etc

Salary Range:

• In accordance with the Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc., salary grid. 

Deadline for Application:

May 15, 2025

Please forward a Cover Letter, Resume, Current Criminal Record Check-including Vulnerable Sector, Copies of Credentials and Three (3) updated references to:

Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc.
C/O:  Human Resources
P.O. Box 229
STANDOFF, AB   T0L 1Y0
Phone: 737-3888 EXT 8408
FAX:  403-737-3985
E-mail: recruitment@btdh.ca

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.