Good Relative (Cultural Counselor)

Job summary

The Good Relative provides cultural guidance, emotional support, and mentorship to youth and adults through holistic, Indigenous-based lessons and activities. They also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community organizations to coordinate support services and maintain accurate case documentation.

Job details

New Directions is a social service agency offering a wide range of resources and services that foster the hopes and dreams of people and their communities. The Multidisciplinary Assessment and Consultation Centre (MACC) is part of the many services offered by New Directions. We are currently seeking a Good Relative to provide support, connection, guidance, and care for youth and adults supported through New Directions. The primary focus of the Good Relative role is to serve as a valued support, who provides guidance and emotional support to younger relatives. A Good Relative is someone you can go to, sit with, and listen to as they pass on cultural knowledge, wisdom, and kinship. At New Directions, this Good Relative will deliver cultural-based lessons or activities (in-office or land-based), provide individualized supports/counselling to individuals receiving supports, support staff with program development from a holistic, Indigenous perspective, and engage in resource development and relationship building with other agencies and ceremonial communities to help people make connections. The Good Relative role will complement existing programming which helps supported individuals develop and learn a holistic, Indigenous understanding of themselves. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Building connections and relationships with other organizations in Manitoba who provide support and services to Indigenous peoples. * Consults and provides transition opportunities to culturally-based community resources (programs and people) for staff and individuals. * Develops and facilitates culturally based teachings & activities that strengthen identity and belonging. * Develops and facilitates 1-1 and group support/mentoring opportunities. * Coordinates and/or facilitates ceremonies and celebrations * Observes, evaluates, and records daily events in order to ensure continuity and consistency in support planning and implementation, and other documentation as required. * Continuously reviews individual support plans to ensure that cultural support provided aligns with, and does not contradict, other support needs. * Maintains file documentation, including case management notes, expense records, receipts for program purchases, mileage and parking expenses. * Adheres to all requirements in working with youth in accordance with the Province of Manitoba’s Child & Family Services branch, including mandatory reporting requirements. * Prepares and maintains records on cultural resources developed or sourced. * Assists in maintaining confidential records and files for individuals supported. * Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams involved with and individual to coordinate support services, communication substantial changes in the direction of cultural supports as appropriate. QUALIFICATIONS: * Post-secondary education (degree or certificate) in Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Psychology, or Counselling from a recognized post-secondary institution, is preferred. A combination of training and lived experience will be considered. * Extensive experience working with the Indigenous community. * Extensive knowledge of Indigenous teachings, culture, and history including participating in cultural practices, programming and ceremonies alongside individuals. * Experience providing physical, psychological, and social supports to at-risk youth and other vulnerable populations is preferred. * Knowledgeable in the in planning, delivery, and coordination of cultural programming. * Ability to speak an Indigenous language is an asset. * Ability to form and maintain interpersonal relationships and professional boundaries with staff and supported individuals. * Experience working from a trauma-informed perspective is preferred. * Knowledge and experience in issues and supports related to addictions, harm reduction strategies, and mental health would be considered an asset. * Strong verbal and written communication and active listening skills. * Valid First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, NVCI (Non-Violent Crisis Intervention) and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) certifications would be considered an asset. * Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and SharePoint. * Fluency in American Sign Language is considered an asset. * Variety of Shifts * Flexibility is required should meetings or group work be required in the evenings. * Travel * May require travel to locations within Winnipeg and outside of Winnipeg for land-based teachings and/or activities. * Drivers License * Requires a valid Manitoba Class 5 driver's license and access to a vehicle. The salary range for this Full-time regular, 70-hour bi-weekly position is $26.6085 to $34.3238 per hour, (equivalent to $48,427.47 - $62,469.32 per annum), dependent upon education and/or experience. A full benefits package (which include Health and Dental Benefits, Long Term Disability Benefits, and a Pension Plan) is provided to regular full-time staff. The successful candidate will be subject to Criminal Record, Child/Adult Abuse Registry, and Prior Contact checks; and must supply a current Driver's Safety Rating. Operating a vehicle is an essential duty of this role. Candidates must hold a valid, active driver's license in good standing to be eligible for hire. Providing a copy of your license and/or your license number at this stage is voluntary. However, submitting this information upfront allows our team to verify your status, which can fast-track your application to the review stage. The closing date for all applications is October 21st, 2026 We thank all applicants for their interest in New Directions; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. New Directions is committed to equity and diversity and especially welcomes applications from persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and newcomers to Canada. We strive for a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we support and contributes to the diversification of ideas. Accommodations for accessibility purposes are available for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

What you’ll do

The Good Relative provides cultural guidance, emotional support, and mentorship to youth and adults through holistic, Indigenous-based lessons and activities. They also collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community organizations to coordinate support services and maintain accurate case documentation.

Requirements

Candidates should have post-secondary education in Indigenous Studies, Social Work, or a related field, along with extensive experience working with Indigenous communities. Proficiency in cultural programming, strong interpersonal skills, and a valid driver's license are required for this role.

Benefits

• Health benefits
• Dental benefits
• Long term disability benefits
• Pension plan

Listed skills

• case management · Preferred
• crisis intervention · Preferred
• Mental Health Support · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred
• Documentation · Preferred
• Microsoft Office Suite · Preferred
• First Aid · Preferred
• CPR · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Indigenous teachings
• Cultural counseling
• Case management
• Mentoring
• Trauma-informed care
• Crisis intervention
• Harm reduction
• Mental health support
• Active listening
• Relationship building
• Documentation
• Microsoft office suite
• First aid
• CPR
• Communication skills
• Support Services
• Indigenous Studies
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
• First Aid Certification
• Valid Driver's License
• Planning
• Program Development
• Microsoft Excel
• Active Listening
• Mental Health
• Case Management
• Social Work
• Communication
• Crisis Intervention
• Disabilities
• Higher Education
• Psychology
• Mental Health First Aid
• Mentorship
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Relationship Building
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Suicide Intervention
• Writing
• Coordinating
• Trauma Care

Job areas

• Social Services
• Education
• Healthcare
• General Counselor
• Family / School / General Case Manager
• Social Work and Counselling Professionals
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers

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