Indigenous Health Lead

at  Klala Lelum

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Indigenous professional ready to play a leadership role in decolonizing healthcare and advancing health and wellness equity for Indigenous people and the Downtown Eastside (DTES) community. Kilala Lelum strives to offer integrated primary care and allied health services, Elder-led cultural care, engage with Food as Medicine, and a range of specialized programs. We provide in-clinic and outreach-based services in ways that endeavor to center Indigenous cultural healing and Ways of Being/Knowing and to be strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, and grounded in harm reduction. Our goal is to contribute to a health system that is accessible, safe, and truly meets the needs and desires of our members.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Executive Director and serving as a key member of the Kilala Lelum Leads Circle, the Indigenous Health Lead has several main functions:

• Acting as lead for cultural wellness activities throughout Kilala Lelum and providing guidance, support, and leadership to a team that includes a Cultural Wellness Manager, Canoe Coordinator, and Cultural Wellness Workers. This role is responsible for the administrative needs of the team (including budget management and reporting to funders) and ensuring the team has the resources necessary to provide services to members.
• Serving as the main support for Elders and Knowledge Holders at Kilala Lelum, including leading the development and implementation of systems that support all Indigenous staff members’ growth and leadership.
• Driving the integration of Indigenous knowledge and medicines into the ways of caring at Kilala Lelum. As part of this important cultural strengthening, this position will also develop and maintain relationships with Host nations, community partners, funders, and relevant stakeholders.

The Indigenous Health Lead will work closely with the Executive Director and the Kilala Lelum Leads Circle to contribute to steering the organization’s overall operations and development. They will enhance support for our staff and programs, advocate organizational changes and developments, help to embody a culture of care and connection, and foster holistic wellness and decolonization.

AS LEAD SUPPORT FOR ELDERS AND KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS AT KILALA LELUM:

• Strengthen the roles of Elders, Knowledge Holders, and Cultural Wellness Workers within the continuum of care at Kilala Lelum.
• Manage and schedule monthly Elder/Knowledge Holder debrief circles, staff talking circles, and quarterly Elders Advisory Circles.
• Connect Elders with the First Nations Aboriginal Primary Care Network (FNAPCN).
• Work with the Executive Director to hire Elders and Knowledge Holders, towards succession planning and overall knowledge transmission in a cultural way, and to maintain culturally appropriate hiring protocols and practices to support cultural transmission and generation.

LEAD THE INTEGRATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGES AND MEDICINES INTO THE WAYS OF CARING AT KILALA LELUM:

• Maintain and strengthen relationships with Host Nations, Elders and Knowledge Holders, cultural stakeholders, and land keepers.
• Ensure support (budget, resources, time) for Canoe Program so that Coordinator, key stakeholders and partners, and Kilala Lelum staff continue to integrate teachings into practice.
• With the support of the Executive Director, lead and/or facilitate significant cultural projects and traditional wellness practices with Cultural Wellness team, Knowledge Holders, and Elders as needed.
• Ensure collaborative and culturally safe practices to support staff in culturally specific and appropriate ways to integrate Indigenous knowledge into clinical and organizational practices.
• Lead the Cultural Safety Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• This position is intended for candidates with Indigenous ancestry. Lived experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous culture is mandatory. Completion of a cultural competency training, knowledge of UNDRIP, DRiPA, TRC, Reclaiming of Power of Place (MMWIG2S), and In Plain Sight considered vital.
• Completion of an advanced degree and/or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, especially in terms of Indigenous Ways of Knowing/Being, and cultural healing and practices.
• Professional experience in Vancouver’s DTES and/or working with Indigenous communities, with a demonstrated capacity to provide care that is culturally-safe, strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, equity-oriented, and grounded in harm reduction. Other forms of experience will be considered, especially in terms of Indigenous Ways of Knowing/Being and cultural healing and practices.
• Desire to work with the residents of the DTES and provide exceptional service.
• Demonstrated commitment, openness, and humility to learning and valuing cultural protocols and employing trauma-informed practices towards culture and the experiences of Indigenous people.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to maintain good working relationships within the team and community partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or other client databases would be beneficial.