Indigenous Residential Counsellor

TWHLS is seeking a full time Indigenous residential counsellor who possesses the commitment and understanding necessary to work with Indigenous women who have been criminalized.
We are looking for a unique individual who can demonstrate healthy boundaries, healthy communication with clients, and must be supported on their own healing journey.

ABOUT TWHLS
TWHLS is a community-driven initiative raised out of concern and recognition of the urgent need to break the cycle of Indigenous women’s over-representation in Canada’s prisons. Indigenous-led, we provide trauma-informed, culturally appropriate services for First Nation (Status and Non-Status), Inuit, and Metis 2SLGBTQIA+ women exiting the justice system.
To this end, TWHLS focuses on:
• Restoring Identities
• Providing Housing
• Creating Opportunities

Our Mission
Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society will promote and provide services for First Nation (Status and Non-Status), Inuit, and Metis 2SLGBTQIA+ Women to focus on their journey to wholeness and balance.

Our Vision
To provide First Nation (Status and Non-Status), Inuit, and Metis 2SLGBTQIA+ women a place in the Greater Toronto Area to heal and reclaim positive cultural identity, rehabilitation, and wellness.

Our Mandate
To establish a Healing Lodge for First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Inuit, and Metis 2SLGBTQIA+ women who are in conflict with the law, and for those who have survived intergenerational trauma. To provide cultural support, traditional knowledge, and resources, for the advancement of wholeness and balance. To empower First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Inuit, and Metis 2SLGBTQIA+ Women to take their honoured place within their community and culture.

Job Summary

The Residential Counsellor will provide client centered counselling and support and develop individual treatment plans for residential clients. The Residential Counsellor will represent Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society by demonstrating the qualities of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Respect, Honesty, Truth, Humility, Courage, Wisdom, and Love.

Responsibilities

• Provide client centered counselling and support.
• Develop individual treatment plans for residential clients.
• Meet with clients regularly to review and assess goals.
• Provide aid on an ongoing basis through a continuum of services that can include initial and ongoing assessment, goal setting, one-on-one and group support, systems navigation, case management and group facilitation.
• Assist in ongoing program development in response to client needs and trends.
• Complete administrative tasks; clinical case notes, data base entry, updates, and service-related reports.
• Provide crisis intervention support as needed and follow up notes as required.
• Review client background information, interview clients to obtain case history and prepare intake reports.
• Effectively navigate through community support services and make appropriate referrals.
• Provide off-site support to clients as part of regular programming.
• Practice strict COVID 19 Procedures and Protocols always.
• Actively participate in Team Support and Development by contributing to the orientation and training of new staff, students, and volunteers.
• Participate in informal and formal team meetings to review and discuss cases, secure, and offer advice concerning clients and provide input into team and operational issues.
• Perform other organizational duties as assigned.

Other

• Comply with the agency Health and Safety plan.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience in working with the Indigenous community in the GTA.
  Excellent administrative skills.
• Experience in counselling/ working with and supporting Indigenous clients with addictions and mental health challenges. Extensive experience in working one-on-one with Indigenous populations.
• Experience working in a secure environment is considered an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record are mandatory.
• Experience in telephone, virtual and in-person counselling.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as an effective team member.
  Understanding and delivery of trauma informed, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict and crisis.
  CPI, CPR certification or willingness to achieve prior to employment start date.
• Solid understanding of the social determinants and effects of incarceration substance dependency, mental health and trauma for Indigenous women who are often marginalized and vulnerable.
• Demonstrated competency in the issues of the LGBTQ and Trans communities, gender-based violence and women who have come into conflict with the law.
• Understanding of the inter-generational impacts of systemic genocidal practices toward Indigenous populations.
• Organizational skills with attention to detail while also having the ability to see and appreciate the big picture.
• Efficient knowledge of Microsoft Office; including Word and Outlook.

Thunder Woman Healing Lodge is committed to the development of an organization that reflects the Indigenous values and teachings.

If you meet all the above qualifications and can demonstrate this in your cover letter and resume, please apply by submitting one PDF document to Patti Pettigrew. 

We thank all applicants and respectfully advise that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.