Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor

Fraser Health is committed to working with First Nations, Métis and Inuit across the Fraser Salish region to plan and deliver culturally safe health services. We are thankful to the Honourable Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond (Aki-Kwe) and the almost 9,000 Indigenous Peoples and health care staff and medical staff whose courage to share their stories and experiences helped shape the “In Plain Sight” report and the call to action needed for change. We are committed to working with the Ministry of Health to eliminate systemic racism in the health care sector in our province.

Effective October 26th, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

The Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor provides leadership and guidance to the Indigenous Cultural Advisor team by ensuring Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and approaches to wellness are honoured within acute and community settings across Fraser Health (FH). Provides leadership, direction, guidance and mentorship to FH interdisciplinary staff within designated program/service by sharing of knowledge and protocol around ceremony and culture to build stronger client interactions and to ensure clients receive traditional wellness care and treatment.

Supporting the Vision, Values, Purpose and Commitments of Fraser Health including service delivery that is centered around patients/clients/residents and families:

The Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor provides leadership and guidance to the Indigenous Cultural Advisor team by ensuring Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and approaches to wellness are honoured within acute and community settings across Fraser Health (FH). Provides leadership, direction, guidance and mentorship to FH interdisciplinary staff within designated program/service by sharing of knowledge and protocol around ceremony and culture to build stronger client interactions and to ensure clients receive traditional wellness care and treatment.

• Collaborates with program/service leadership, Indigenous communities and agencies to support defining Nation-based or Indigenous approaches to care and to coordinate capacity building as requested to support improved access to care.
• Works with and mentors various members of the health care team to increase cultural awareness and to provide traditional wellness support and care for clients and their families.
• Provides training and orientation to Indigenous Cultural Advisors to build their knowledge in protocol around ceremony and traditional wellness care practices.
• Provides leadership and guidance to team members within designated program/service to ensure Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and approaches to wellness are honoured within acute and community settings across (FH).
• Leads and/or facilitates ceremony and traditional wellness practices.
• Attends a variety of meetings within designated program/service to enhance the experience of the attendees by sharing cultural awareness, experiences and wisdom of their past.
• In collaboration with designated program/service team and Aboriginal Health Manager, informs and influences policy development efforts to embed cultural safety within existing practice, processes and policies within designated site(s) and across FH.
• Provides guidance, consultation, and information to clients and their families as they work with their health care team regarding decisions about their health and wellness care plan. Provides support for clients and/or families during their stay at facilities across FH.
• Shares teachings to clients and their families about traditional knowledge in relation to health and wellness.

Education and Experience

• A level of lived experience and knowledge, education and/or training equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
• Three (3) years' recent related experience working for Indigenous organizations/programs including interacting with and developing relationships with Indigenous people and Indigenous communities.
• Valid BC Driver's licence and possession of a personal vehicle for business related purposes.

We have 2 Full Time positions, available in Chilliwack B.C

Fraser Health Authority values diversity within the workplace. For this position, we also want to highlight that First Nations, Inuit, Metis or Aboriginal ancestry is regarded as directly relevant to the skills and knowledge for excellence in the position. Pursuant to Section 41 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Aboriginal Ancestry.

Skills and Abilities

Demonstrates the LEADS capabilities of Leads Self, Engages Others, Achieves Results, Develops Coalitions and supports Systems Transformation.

Professional/Technical Capabilities:

• Demonstrated significant wisdom in areas of traditional health and wellness as recognized by their National and/or Aboriginal Family inclusive of demonstrated knowledge and ability to promote Indigenous protocols and ceremonies.
• In depth understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal culture, specifically the diverse Aboriginal cultures within the Fraser Salish area.
• Demonstrated capacity to share wisdom and knowledge with clients, families and employees of Fraser Health.
• Demonstrated positive working relationships with community partners.
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of Canadian and Indigenous history, an understanding of the roots of harm (colonization and racism) and the ongoing harm related to historic and current colonial policies. Understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action related to health and the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Demonstrated lived and work experience with understanding and knowledge of Indigenous health and wellness, including but not limited to: knowledge of local Indigenous peoples, including differences in respect to access to health services, health benefits and advocacy.
• Ability to promote, educate and learn with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to listen and the desire to foster the well-being of others.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.