Program: Indigenous Community Support Program

Position: Program Coordinator

Full-Time, Term: 35 Hours per Week until March 31, 2027

Anticipated Schedule: Weekday, Daytime; Occasional evenings and weekends to support work within the community.

Position Description The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta (Efry) advances the dignity, worth, and potential of women, girls, and gender-diverse people who are criminalized and those considered at risk. Efry recognizes and is deeply concerned about the overrepresentation of Indigenous women in the criminal legal system and the ongoing impacts of colonization, systemic discrimination, and poverty. Alongside the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, we advocate for meaningful systems change that addresses the criminalization, victimization, and marginalization of Indigenous women across Canada.

On a local level, we strive to empower Indigenous women in our community to foster self-awareness, independence, and leadership; to (re)connect with Indigenous culture; and to overcome obstacles and barriers in their lives. This support is holistic, utilizing the teachings of the Medicine Wheel.

Program Overview The Indigenous Community Supports Program provides culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and relationship-based support to Indigenous women and gender-diverse people in our community.

The program takes a holistic, strengths-based approach that recognizes the individual experiences, identities, strengths, relationships, and goals of each participant. Through one-on-one support, opportunities for cultural connection, practical skill-building, advocacy, and connections to community resources, the program works alongside participants as they navigate housing and income instability, social isolation, and other barriers that may affect their wellbeing and participation in community.

The program is grounded in respect for Indigenous self-determination and recognizes that cultural connection is personal and may look different for each participant. Cultural opportunities are developed and supported in relationship with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and other appropriate cultural supports.

Position Objectives The Program Coordinator supports the coordination and delivery of the Indigenous Community Supports Program. The position builds respectful, trusting relationships with participants and works alongside them to identify their goals, strengths, needs, and priorities.

The position objectives include, but are not limited to:

- Providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and relationship-based one-on-one support.
- Supporting participants to identify and work toward their own goals related to housing, income, wellness, community connection, and independence.
- Creating opportunities for participants to explore or strengthen their connection to culture, community, and relationships in ways that are meaningful to them.
- Supporting practical skill development based on participant interests, goals, and identified needs.
- Reducing social isolation by strengthening relationships, community connections, and support networks.
- Providing advocacy, referrals, and assistance navigating systems and community services.
- Supporting participants experiencing housing and income instability to identify options and pathways that align with their goals.
- Coordinating community-based programming that responds to the interests, strengths, and needs of participants.

Program Goals

- Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed support that recognizes the strengths, experiences, identities, and self-determination of Indigenous women and gender-diverse people.
- Reduce social isolation and support meaningful connection to community, culture, relationships, and resources.
- Support individuals to build practical skills, knowledge, confidence, and connections that contribute to greater stability and independence.
- Support participants in navigating barriers related to housing, income, wellness, and access to services.
- Create opportunities for cultural connection that are participant-informed and guided by appropriate Indigenous community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural supports.




- Strengthen relationships and support networks that contribute to wellbeing, belonging, and community connection.

Program Delivery 1. Individual & Community Supports

- Provide one-on-one, relationship-based support to Indigenous women and gender-diverse people.
- Work collaboratively with participants to identify their goals, strengths, needs, and priorities.
- Provide practical assistance, advocacy, referrals, and system navigation related to housing, income, healthcare, legal services, employment, education, and other community resources.
- Support participants to develop practical skills that reflect their goals and contribute to greater stability and independence.
- Assist participants in identifying and navigating barriers to accessing community services and supports.
- Recognize participant choice and self-determination throughout the support relationship.
- Maintain appropriate and timely documentation of participant contacts, supports, referrals, and outcomes while respecting confidentiality and privacy.

2. Cultural Connection & Wellness

- Support opportunities for participants to explore or strengthen connections to culture, community, relationships, and traditional practices according to their own interests and preferences.
- Build relationships with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural facilitators, and community partners to support culturally appropriate opportunities.
- Coordinate access to cultural activities and teachings as directed by and in relationship with appropriate Indigenous community members.
- Support activities that may include sharing circles, cultural gatherings, traditional arts and crafts, land-based activities, teachings, ceremonies, or other opportunities identified by participants and cultural partners.
- Recognize that there is no single Indigenous experience or approach to cultural connection and avoid assumptions about what culture, ceremony, or community connection means for an individual.
- Support holistic approaches to wellness that recognize physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, cultural, and social dimensions of wellbeing.
- Follow the guidance and protocols provided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural facilitators, and community partners when coordinating cultural activities.
- Maintain appropriate boundaries around cultural knowledge, teachings, practices, and ceremonies and do not present oneself or the agency as an authority where that authority has not been established.

3. Community Liaison & Partnerships

- Develop and maintain respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, service providers, and other community partners.
- Act as a connector between participants and community resources, supports, and relationships.
- Strengthen referral pathways and opportunities for participants to access culturally relevant services and supports.
- Listen to and incorporate community guidance into program development and delivery.
- Promote culturally responsive practice within agency programming and partnerships.
- Support the organization's ongoing learning and commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action within the scope of the program.

4. Skills & Capacity Building

- Develop and coordinate practical skill-building opportunities based on participant-identified needs and interests.
- Support workshops and activities related to areas such as financial literacy, employment, housing, wellness, life skills, parenting, and community participation.
- Create opportunities for participants to share and develop skills, including traditional arts and crafts, where appropriate community guidance and support is available.
- Where appropriate, connect participants with opportunities to explore entrepreneurship, including opportunities to promote and sell their arts and crafts.




- Recognize and build on the existing knowledge, strengths, skills, and lived expertise of participants.

5. Program Coordination & Team Collaboration

- Coordinate day-to-day program activities, schedules, partnerships, participant supports, and program logistics.
- Support the planning and delivery of workshops, cultural activities, community events, and other program initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with agency staff, participants, community partners, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, facilitators, and service providers.
- Participate in agency-wide initiatives, strategies, meetings, and events.
- Contribute to program planning, evaluation, outcomes measurement, and reporting.
- Participate in occasional evening and weekend activities to support community events and programming.
- Other tasks as assigned.

Skills, Education and Other Qualifications The ideal candidate will have:

- Strong knowledge of and respect for Indigenous peoples, communities, cultures, histories, and contemporary experiences.
- Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive, trauma-informed, strengths-based, and relationship-based practice.
- Experience working alongside Indigenous women and/or gender-diverse people in a community, social service, cultural, or related setting.
- Awareness of Indigenous communities, resources, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community supports.
- At least two years' experience working in a professional or community-based setting.
- Post-secondary education in social work, sociology, psychology, women's studies, Indigenous studies, human services, or a related field is preferred. Equivalencies will be considered.
- Strong relationship-building, facilitation, organization, and program coordination skills.
- Compassion, empathy, cultural humility, and the ability to build respectful and trusting relationships.
- Understanding of the impacts of colonization, systemic discrimination, intergenerational trauma, poverty, homelessness, criminalization, violence, social isolation, and other barriers experienced by Indigenous communities.
- Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches, including the importance of choice, safety, trust, collaboration, empowerment, and self-determination.
- Intersectional feminist values and a commitment to supporting women, Two-Spirit, non-binary, and gender-diverse people.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, documentation, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to recognize the limits of one's own knowledge and seek guidance from appropriate Indigenous community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural supports.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a cooperative team environment.
- Valid driver's licence, appropriate insurance, and access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel.

Schedule & Term This is a full-time, term position of 35 hours per week, scheduled primarily Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including an unpaid lunch period.

The position will occasionally require evening and weekend work to support community events, cultural programming, workshops, and other program activities. These requirements will be scheduled based on program needs and planned activities.

The term of employment is until March 31, 2027, and is contingent on the availability of agency funding.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and connection to the position to:

[email protected]

Please include "ICS Program Coordinator Application" in the subject line.

Applications will remain open until the position is filled. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or in-person visits please.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous women, women with lived experience, and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Pay: $25.00-$28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Benefits

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- RRSP match

Work Location: In person

📌 Program Coordinator (Edmonton)
🏢 Elizabeth Fry Society of Northern Alberta
📍 Edmonton