Indigenous Mental Health & Community Wellness Navigator

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre•Cambridge, ON

1d•CA$51,078 - CA$63,847•Onsite

About The Position

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing and promoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live in a more balanced state of well-being. SOAHAC provides services to Indigenous people including those who live on and off reserve, status, non-status, Inuit, and Metis within the Southwest, Waterloo-Wellington and Erie St Clair regions. SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. It is SOAHAC’s objective to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities. Currently, we are seeking the services of an Indigenous Mental Health and Community Wellness Navigator to join our interdisciplinary staff team to work at our Cambridge Site. Reporting to the Integrated Care Manager, The Indigenous Mental Health & Community Wellness Navigator is responsible for providing effective mental health intake, early intervention support, system navigation, and community outreach for Indigenous individuals and families across the lifespan. This role integrates culturally safe, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approaches to support wholistic wellness and coordinated care. The Navigator works collaboratively with clients, families, Elders, and community partners to reduce barriers to services and promote access to appropriate mental health, addictions, and social supports.

Requirements

Degree or diploma in Social Work, Nursing, Indigenous Studies, or a related health or social services discipline. Equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Minimum 1–3 years’ experience working with Indigenous children, youth, adults, and families in mental health, community wellness, healthcare, social services, system navigation, or related community-based environments.
Demonstrated experience conducting mental health intakes, including screening, triage, referrals, and providing brief supportive interventions.
Experience supporting clients in accessing health, mental health, addictions, housing, education, and social services, including advocacy and coordination of care.
Knowledge of Indigenous health inequities, the impacts of colonization and intergenerational trauma, and systemic barriers impacting access to care and services.
Understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and wholistic approaches to wellness, including culturally safe and trauma-informed practices.
Experience developing and facilitating culturally relevant wellness programming, including mental wellness, life skills, and land-based or traditional activities where appropriate.
Experience collaborating with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community partners, and interdisciplinary teams to support client and family wellness.
Knowledge of Indigenous organizations, Nations, and community supports within the service region.
Strong advocacy, relationship-building, communication, facilitation, and community engagement skills.
Ability to work independently while building collaborative relationships with clients, families, schools, partner agencies, and service providers.
Ability to adhere to ethical practices
Strong organizational skills with the ability to work effectively and independently
Excellent communication skills
Strong attention to detail with excellent assessment skills
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and across teams
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly
Computer literacy including skills in word processing, e-mail, PowerPoint, Excel, and Electronic Medical Records (PS Suites)
Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies.
Clean and current vulnerable sector police check as a condition of employment
Travel within Cambridge and area, as well as SOAHAC sites as required
Ontario Driver’s “G” license, clean driver’s abstract, as well as proof of personal auto insurance (must be insured a minimum of 3 years)
Up to date immunizations and records

Responsibilities

Conduct initial mental health intakes, including screening, triage, referrals, and risk identification as appropriate
Provide immediate, brief supportive interventions within scope of practice
Ensure all intake processes are culturally safe, respectful, trauma-informed, and client-centered
Support clients in accessing health, mental health, addictions, housing, education, and social services across the lifespan
Advocate on behalf of clients to reduce systemic barriers to care and services
Provide ongoing follow-up to support continuity and coordination of care
Assist clients with referrals, service applications, forms, and appointment coordination
Develop and facilitate culturally relevant wellness programming, including mental wellness, life skills, and land-based or traditional approaches where appropriate
Collaborate with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners in the delivery of programming and supports
Adapt programming and supports to meet the needs of children, youth, adults, and families
Represent the organization at community events, schools, and partner agencies to support outreach and engagement
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers and community partners
Promote awareness of available services and contribute to reducing stigma related to mental health and addictions
Work with the Integrated Care Manager and other SOAHAC service providers to provide input on program planning and delivery
Monitoring, evaluation and follow-up/referrals as required
Document all client contacts and ensure all client information is kept confidential at all times
Maintain close collaborative working relationships with other allied health professionals
This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Centre.