Who we are:

Maple Tree Consulting and Support Services is a dynamic organization that prides itself on its ability to adapt to the needs of the Children, Youth, and Families we serve. We work in collaboration with our persons served, Child and Family Services, community agencies and stakeholders.

We are unique in that we let our values guide the services we provide to the Children, Youth, and Families.

Equity:

We are an organization that works together with those we serve by doing what is right, fair, and in alignment with best practices.

Inclusion:

Our organization nurtures and encourages inclusivity of everyone served, which also encompasses our Employees.

Innovation:

We pursue change and are committed to learning, growing, and evolving.

Integrity:

Maple Tree adheres to honest, respectful, and reliable values within our organization. We are currently recruiting for Indigenous Cultural Support Worker/ Elder to join our team!

An Indigenous Cultural Support Worker provides both direct and indirect supports to children, youth and families wishing to have a greater connection to Indigenous culture, language and worldview. Through 1-to-1 conversations, workshops, sharing circles, and regular practice of Indigenous ceremony, the Cultural Support Worker will ensure children, youth, and families have the support they need to fully engage with their Indigeneity and/or explore aspects of Indigenous culture that are supportive to them.

:

Job Title: Indigenous Cultural Support Worker / Elder

Job Type: Permanent, 10 - 15 hours weekly

Note: This position has varying shifts and requires flexibility of hours to meet the needs of the children, youth and families we work with.

Responsibilities:

Cultural Teaching, Programming & Ceremony

- Provides cultural engagement opportunities and teachings to MTC employees and youth
- Supports the creation of cultural programming for Indigenous youth at MTC, and their families within the home and the community
- Facilitates programming such as Sharing Circles and Smudging that supports Indigenous cultural practices and healing with youth
- Provides culturally specific programming and support for First Nations, Inuit, Métis, New Canadians, Racialized, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, helping to restore and foster cultural connections
- Coordinates Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members to support teaching and learning for MTC youth and staff.
- Incorporates seasonal/land-based teachings, traditional foods, arts, crafts, drumming, and storytelling into group home programming where appropriate




- Supports youth in developing or reconnecting with their cultural identity, including nation/community affiliation, language, and family history where known

Direct Youth Support & Intervention

- Provides support for interventions with youth and debriefing with staff in culturally safe ways
- Facilitates culturally appropriate concrete services; opportunities to prepare and eat traditional food, obtain cultural items, etc
- Supports Indigenous student/youth leadership initiatives
- Acts as a trusted, consistent adult presence and cultural mentor for Indigenous youth residing in group care
- Assists in de-escalation and crisis support using trauma-informed and culturally grounded approaches when appropriate
- Supports individual care and safety planning by bringing cultural perspective to case conferences and treatment planning
- Accompanies or supports youth in attending cultural events, ceremonies, or community activities outside the home

Family & Community Engagement

- Coordinates/facilitates targeted parent and youth groups to increase awareness of Indigenous family systems, and social and emotional needs, and the best approaches to meet these needs
- Supports family and community engagement initiatives
- Advocates for the needs of Indigenous youth and families
- Maintains and develops ongoing, deep, reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities
- Researches and builds working relationships with existing Indigenous community resources and makes referrals
- Supports communication and relationship-building between youth, families, and community members, including facilitating family visits or reunification conversations with cultural sensitivity

Staff Capacity-Building & Organizational Support

- Supports MTC employees with cultural understandings to support communication between youth, families, and community members
- Supports the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action as they pertain to MTC programming
- Provides coaching, mentorship, and informal training to direct-care staff on culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices
- Contributes to the development or review of policies, intake processes, and case documentation to ensure cultural safety and relevance
- Assists in the recruitment,



orientation, and cultural onboarding of recent staff working with Indigenous youth

Collaborative Practice & Professional Development

- Engages in cultural planning for youth within a team setting using a cooperative approach
- Participates regularly in supervision processes and monthly meetings that support reflective practice to improve skills and knowledge
- Maintains accurate, culturally respectful documentation and reporting in line with agency and regulatory requirements (e.g., incident reports, case notes)
- Participates in ongoing professional development related to Indigenous cultural practices, children and family services, and trauma-informed care
- Collaborates with Child Intervention Practitioners, therapists, education staff, and external agencies (e.g., schools, health services) to ensure culturally coordinated care plans

Health, Safety & Wellbeing

- Models healthy coping, boundaries, and self-regulation for youth
- Supports youth wellbeing through culturally grounded approaches to mental health and healing (e.g., connecting youth with traditional healing supports alongside clinical services)
- Follows all agency policies related to child safety, confidentiality, and reporting obligations (e.g., duty to report)
- Supports safe handling and storage of ceremonial/sacred items used in programming (e.g., medicines, drums

Disclaimer: The is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualified Candidates must hold a valid Alberta drivers license and auto insurance. Qualified candidates must also have a valid Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check and an Intervention Record Check within the last 6 months.

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Experience:

- Working with youth: 3 years (required)
- Indigenous Teaching: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

- Alberta Drivers License (required)
- Valid Criminal Record Check (within 6 months)
- Valid Intervention Record Check (within 6 months)

Location:

- Edmonton, AB (required)

Work Location: In person Pay: $25.00-$30.00 per hour

Benefits

- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule

Application question(s):
- Do you have a Criminal Record Check in the last 6 months?
- Do you have an Intervention Record Check in the last 6 months?
- How many years working with Youth do you have?

Work Location: In person

📌 Indigenous Cultural Support Worker/Elder (Edmonton)
🏢 Maple Tree Consulting and Support Services
📍 Edmonton