About Crow Shield Lodge & the County of Wellington

Crow Shield Lodge (CSL) is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to land-based healing, cultural education, and supporting Indigenous community wellness. In partnership with the County of Wellington, this project strengthens culturally grounded homelessness supports, Indigenous data sovereignty, and system transformation. Our work is guided by Indigenous governance, relationality, and a commitment to reconciliation.

Position Overview The Indigenous Housing & Cultural Supports Navigator provides holistic, culturally grounded, and trauma-informed housing navigation to Indigenous individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing precarity. This role blends practical housing advocacy with cultural wellness support, ensuring that housing pathways are anchored in Indigenous teachings, land-based practices, and relational accountability.

The Navigator will work closely with CSL, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and County partners to support clients, strengthen cultural safety, and contribute to Indigenous-led data and system improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Housing Navigation & Advocacy

- Provide one-on-one housing supports to Indigenous clients, including referrals, applications, advocacy, and accompaniment.
- Assist clients in navigating shelters, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and Coordinated Access processes.
- Advocate for culturally safe services within mainstream housing and homelessness systems.
- Support clients experiencing racism or system-based harm, ensuring they feel safe and respected.

Cultural Support & Land-Based Connection

- Facilitate access to cultural programming, ceremony, land-based supports, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers through CSL.




- Provide trauma-informed support rooted in Indigenous teachings, relationality, and community values.
- Support opportunities for clients to build belonging, identity, and community connections.
- Assist clients in accessing traditional medicines, cultural items, or ceremony where appropriate.

Partnership & Collaboration

- Work closely with community agencies to ensure culturally safe referrals and coordinated supports.
- Strengthen relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to improve housing pathways.
- Contribute to the development of Indigenous housing policies, cultural protocols, and culturally relevant service approaches.

Data Collection, Insights & System Improvement

- Collect real-time, culturally relevant indicators reflecting the lived realities of Indigenous clients.
- Work with CSL to validate indicators and ensure accuracy in the BND system.
- Provide insights to inform system improvements, service gaps, and advocacy needs.
- Contribute to advocacy efforts that promote culturally grounded housing responses.

Qualifications

Preference will be given to qualified First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates.*

- Experience in outreach, housing navigation, frontline support, social services, or community wellness.
- Knowledge of Indigenous teachings, land-based practices, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
- Understanding of homelessness, housing systems, and systemic barriers impacting Indigenous Peoples.
- Experience providing trauma-informed, culturally safe, and relational support.
- Robust relationship-building, communication, and advocacy skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively across Indigenous and non-Indigenous service systems and community partners.

Pay: $56,052.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Peer Relations Pathfinder Worker (Guelph)
🏢 Crow Shield Lodge
📍 Guelph