Gladue Pathways Support Navigator (3 Positions)

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak•Sault Ste. Marie, ON

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Gladue Pathway Support Navigators are frontline professionals who engage directly with Indigenous relatives involved in the criminal justice system, their families, and communities to prepare Gladue Reports and support the development and implementation of individualized Healing & Wellness Plans. They serve as cultural, restorative, trauma-informed and culturally responsive guides, assisting individuals navigate the Criminal Justice System while supporting pathways to healing, accountability, wellness, and reintegration. Working collaboratively with First Nations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community organizations, justice system partners, and government representatives, Gladue Pathway Support Navigators prepare culturally grounded Gladue Reports and Healing & Wellness Plans that reflect each individual’s unique history, lived experiences, strengths, community connections, and healing journey. Gladue Pathway Support Navigators promote principles established under section 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code and relevant Gladue jurisprudence while ensuring all work is grounded in the Indigenous knowledge systems, trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, cultural safety, and community-based justice principles.

Requirements

Post-Secondary education in Indigenous Studies, Social Work, Criminology, Law, Justice Studies, Public Administration, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience will be considered.
Demonstrated experience working within the justice sector, including restorative justice, court services, or related programs and initiatives, with proven ability to develop, implement and support individualized intervention, wellness, and healing plans.
Demonstrated experience providing culturally safe, trauma-informed and respectful environments when engaging individuals, their families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community resources and leadership.
Demonstrated knowledge of Gladue and restorative justice Principles, Indigenous justice systems, First Nation histories and cultures, and culturally responsive service delivery practices.
Strong understanding of the impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, systemic racism, and discrimination, particularly as they relate to the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system.
Demonstrated ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive and safe service delivery.
Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with northern First Nation programs, services, agencies and resources to support healing, wellness, rehabilitation and reintegration planning
Strong research, assessment, documentation and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
Must be able to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal, networking, and relationship-building skills.
Strong computer literacy skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to be flexible and travel as required, including to circuit court locations, correctional centres, institutions, and northern First Nations.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
Possess valid drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle.
Candidates are required to provide a current Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Registry Self-Check, and Adult Abuse Registry Self-Check.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak Cree, Dene and Anisininew languages is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Conduct interviews, consultations, and assessments with relatives involved in the criminal justice system to gather their life histories, identify systemic, social and intergenerational factors, and understand the circumstances and underlying factors contributing to their justice system involvement.
Support relatives in sharing their stories and lived experiences in a culturally safe, respectful, trauma-informed and healing-centred environment.
Collaborate with families, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community leadership, and service providers to ensure the Gladue Reports and Healing & Wellness Plans reflect Indigenous values, family perspectives, and community strengths.
Identify, coordinate, and facilitate access to community-based resources and supports, including mental health services, addictions treatment, housing, education, employment, and culturally responsive programming.
Prepare and submit Gladue Reports and Healing & Wellness Plans for judicial consideration, providing updates and recommendations as required.
Monitor and support the implementation of Healing & Wellness Plans, ensuring alignment with restorative justice principles and culturally responsive approaches that promote healing, accountability, wellness and successful reintegration.
Ensure all Gladue Reports and Healing & Wellness Plans are grounded in First Nation values, cultures, traditions, and community strengths.
Foster culturally safe, trauma-informed, and healing-centred approaches throughout program delivery.
Adhere to MKO policies, procedures and protocols.
Ability to work independently.
Other duties as assigned.
All staff at MKO may be given other duties as assigned that enable MKO to fulfill the mandate and responsibility to its member communities.