Position Summary

The Indian Residential School (IRS) program was formed in 2007 to provide mental, emotional, and cultural support services to former Indian Residential School students and their families throughout all phases of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. The program includes culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care to counsel individuals, families, groups, or engage in prevention programs. The program has since evolved to provide support to families and individuals who have been affected by Day Schools, Sixties Scoop, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and Indian Day School Students. 

Responsibilities

The IRS Support Worker will be responsible for providing support and outreach services to all seven of STC’s Member Nations and their community members, including Urban, who have been affected by the impact of Indian Residential Schools. The IRS support worker will work collaboratively with all relevant support programs and services. This support will be provided by: 

• Supporting individuals with completing their compensation forms.
• Supporting and helping to prepare individuals during all stages of their claims process.
• Providing emotional support for individuals, families, or groups. 
• Providing referrals to community resources such as Elders, healers, addiction supports, and mental health supports.
• Providing outreach education and awareness about the history and impact of the Indian Residential Schools
• Facilitating wraparound care support, including support from members’ home communities.
• Fostering cultural connections in all stages of the process.
• Providing various presentations, workshops, and group programming and events. 
• Actively participating on the STC Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team.
• Supporting documentation standards and processes for Accreditation Canada standards
• Completing required reports, and data collection.
• Engaging in community events.
• Participating in and completing required education and training.
• Perform other related duties as defined and assigned by the reporting Director or designate on an as and when required basis. 

 

Working Environment

• Standard office environment; regular travel (as required)

Physical Demands

• Freedom of movement; Keyboarding (>2 hrs at a time); ability to take breaks as necessary; Driving and sensory demands 

 

Health and Safety

Rights: All Saskatoon Tribal Council employees have the right to information on potential hazards in the workplace, the right to participate in Occupational Health and Safety decisions, use personal protective equipment and clothing as directed by the employer, and the right to refuse dangerous work.  

Responsibilities: All employees must co-operate with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee; remain alert to changes or events that might affect a client or employee safety; report safety issues, accidents or injuries immediately; follow safe work practices, including the use of PPE; and use their training and knowledge to help other employees work safely as well.  

 

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary degree in a related human services field; and
• Minimum 2 years of directly related work experience; OR
• Comparable combination of education and work experience;
• Experience working in a supportive and advocacy role; 
• Ability to speak or understand a First Nations language an asset; 
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint with an ability to easily learn new software applications. 
• Experience working within a governance structure in a community development capacity with First Nations; familiarity with First Nations culture, and history is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of the history and effects of Indian residential schools and their multigenerational impacts are essential; 
• Knowledge of mental health issues; 
• Familiarity and understanding of challenges encountered by First Nations people within the health care system;
• An understanding of the dynamics of First Nations communities;
• Ability to work as a team within the IRS program, the Mental Health Program, and STC’s seven Member Nations
• Ability to organize and plan community events;
• Ability to develop and deliver presentations; 
• Ability to demonstrate respect, uphold STC’s strategic objectives and provide support to a member community;
• Ability to gain trust and confidence in a supporting role;
• Organizational skills, including maintaining both written and oral data;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to work independently and to self-motivate;
• Organization, time management, and multi-tasking skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint platforms;
• Knowledge of the political, social, and economic objectives of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and of the Dakota, Cree, and Saulteaux cultures will be considered an asset.
• Analytical, decision making, and the ability to recognize challenges, identify causes, and provide solutions.
• Dependability: able to work independently, submit accurate documentation, and seek guidance when needed
• Receptive: accept feedback, take ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly, seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keep sensitive information confidential and adheres to STC’s policies
• Initiative: seeks opportunities for further development 

Other

• As a role closely involved with finances, a satisfactory criminal background check is required, upon hire. 
• Must provide a current, original, Canadian Criminal Record Check (CCRC) with vulnerable sector search as a condition of employment