Career Opportunity: Support Worker for Residential School Survivors/MMIWG2S+

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MKO Employment Opportunity

Support Worker: Residential School Survivors/MMIWG2S+
2 Term Positions – Thompson/Winnipeg

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) is seeking an experienced individual to provide collaborative support to survivors of residential school and their families, as well as to families and individuals impacted by MMIWG2S+. Under the supervision of the MMIWG Liaison Unit Executive Director, the Residential School Survivors/MMIWG2S+ Support Worker will provide safe; non-judgmental, respectful, and confidential services to individuals and families through trauma informed practices that are culturally relevant and sensitive to their emotional needs. These support services are available to anyone impacted by the issue of MMIWG2S+ and Indian Residential Schools in Manitoba, including residential school survivors and their families, intergenerational survivors, and impacted MMIWG2S+ family members.

The incumbent works in an environment focused on the design and delivery of culturally responsive and dignified trauma informed health and wellness supports for individuals who have been impacted by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people (MMIWG2S+). This includes providing support to survivors of gender-based violence, families of MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, and communities who have been impacted by MMIWG2S+. These support services are available to all First Nations, Inuit, Metis, Non-Status and non-Indigenous individuals residing in Manitoba.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is preferred; Completion of post-secondary education in Social Work/Social Services field, Counselling Degree or Certificate will be considered.
• First Nations traditional practices as a traditional Elder or spiritual leader augmented in the areas of individual/group counselling and community development will be considered.
• Trauma Informed Awareness/Care training is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of working in counselling and program delivery.
• Strong knowledge of the issue of MMIWG2S+ and the Indian Residential School system, including an understanding of the history and impacts of residential school on the individual, family, and community.
• Understanding of the historical context of Indigenous peoples in Canada and how it contributes to the widespread impact of trauma, recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma, understands considerations needed to contribute to wellness, integrates knowledge about trauma into communications and settings, and understands how to implement into daily practice.
• Understanding of various aspects of holistic wellness, and considers all components relating to a client’s wellbeing including emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural needs.
• Experience working within a harm reduction and dignified trauma informed care organizational structure that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma, including intergenerational trauma and the impacts of colonization.
• Effective cultural awareness skills to meet the culturally sensitive needs of impacted residential school survivors and families.
• Experience in the facilitation of workshops, large group discussion, and one on one sessions with clients.
• Knowledge of harm reduction strategies and practices and willingness to implement.
• Experience working with other organizations related to Indian Residential Schools.
• Knowledge of community resources at local, regional and national level.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide support to individuals impacted by the issue of MMIWG2S+ and Indian Residential Schools in Manitoba, including residential school survivors and their families, intergenerational survivors, and impacted MMIWG2S+family members.
• Provide safe, non judgmental, respectful, and confidential services to individuals through culturally relevant, trauma informed practices.
• Provide general counselling, address barriers, and provide short term clinical support through a trauma-informed lens to survivors, families, and individuals impacted by MMIWG2S+.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver healing, wellness, and other related workshops and programming.
• Raise awareness on the issue of MMIWG2S+ and Indian Residential School through the facilitation of presentations.
• Develop & conduct workshops for healing, wellness, and self-care and to raise awareness on MMIWG2S+ and the impacts and intergenerational effects of colonization and residential school on grief, loss, and suicide.
• Collaborate with Indigenous communities to provide support at the community level as required.
• Provide referrals to community resources, especially for those who required long term counselling and support.
• Develop a work plan and necessary reporting mechanisms, and conduct monthly reporting of activities including providing related statistical information when necessary.
• Monitor budget expenditures and plan for program activities accordingly.
• Perform duties while keeping within cultural and professional protocols.

Other Duties and Skills:

• Understanding of, or commitment to learning, First Nations traditional healing practices and models of wellness.
• Knowledge of community resources at local, regional and national level.
• Work under the supervision of the MMIWG Director.
• Ability to adapt to evolving responsibilities and willingness to expand capacity as the job requires.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Internet research tools.
• Must be available for on call work assignments, with the ability to work overtime and in a variety of outdoor settings.
• Must posses a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel, with access to a reliable vehicle.
• Travel to remote/isolated First Nations communities throughout Manitoba, usually at very short notice.
• Current criminal record, child abuse, and vulnerable sector check, including clearance to work with vulnerable women, youth, and children.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.
• Ability to speak one or more First Nations languages would be an asset.
• Knowledge of and regular access to knowledge keepers, elders and traditional spiritual care providers is an asset

Interested applicants can submit a cover letter, resume and three (3) references, with written permission to contact references by 4:00 PM on August 1, 2022 to

Shawna Flett
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (204) 778-7655
Mail: 206-55 Selkirk Avenue
Thompson, MB R8N 0M5

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.