Healthy Living Program Coordinator

Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC)

Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Employment Type: Full-time

Annual Salary: $45,000–$50,000

Benefits: NRNC Employee Benefits Package

Schedule: Monday to Friday, with evening and weekend programming as required

Reports To: Health Manager (proposed; subject to confirmation)

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

About Niagara Regional Native Centre

Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC) is an Indigenous community-based organization dedicated to supporting the health, well-being, cultural identity, and self-determination of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals and families throughout the Niagara Region.

Through culturally grounded programming, advocacy, education, and community partnerships, NRNC promotes wholistic wellness and strengthens connections between individuals, families, culture, and community.

Our approach recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We are committed to providing inclusive, accessible, and culturally safe environments where Indigenous people of all ages can build healthy relationships, develop positive lifestyles, and thrive.

About the Healthy Living Program The Healthy Living Program is an initiative of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) designed to improve the health and well-being of urban Indigenous people through culturally relevant, community-based health promotion and prevention activities.

The program emphasizes the prevention of chronic health conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, through healthy lifestyle education, physical activity, nutrition awareness, commercial tobacco cessation, and youth leadership development.

The program is inclusive and community-driven, with activities offered during daytime, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate the needs and availability of community members.

The Healthy Living Program is organized around four core components:

1. Sport, Physical Fitness, and Recreation

Promoting regular physical activity through accessible, culturally appropriate sports, fitness opportunities, traditional games, and recreational programming.

2. Healthy Nutrition Education and Promotion

Supporting healthy eating practices through nutrition education, food preparation workshops, community gardens, traditional food knowledge, and practical healthy living initiatives.

3. Commercial Tobacco Cessation and Smoke-Free Living

Promoting awareness of the health impacts of commercial tobacco use, encouraging smoke-free lifestyles, and connecting individuals with appropriate cessation information and resources while respecting the sacred and ceremonial use of traditional tobacco.

4. Youth Leadership Development

Supporting Indigenous youth in developing leadership skills, confidence, healthy lifestyle habits, community engagement, and opportunities to serve as positive role models.

Position Summary

Niagara Regional Native Centre is seeking a motivated, culturally knowledgeable, and community-oriented Healthy Living Program Coordinator to plan, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate culturally grounded health promotion activities throughout the Niagara Region.

The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing all four core components of the Healthy Living Program in accordance with OFIFC program objectives, applicable funding requirements, and NRNC policies.

The Program Coordinator will promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity, nutrition education, commercial tobacco cessation initiatives, youth leadership development, and culturally relevant community engagement.

Working collaboratively with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, health professionals, schools, recreation providers, community organizations, and other NRNC programs, the successful candidate will support community members in making informed choices about their health and well-being.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate solid program coordination abilities, excellent interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and a commitment to reducing barriers to health and wellness for urban Indigenous communities.

Key Responsibilities1. Physical Activity, Sports, and Recreation

- Plan, organize, and facilitate accessible physical activity, fitness, and recreational programming for Indigenous children, youth, adults, families, and Elders.
- Develop opportunities for community participation in sports, traditional games, walking groups, fitness classes, recreational outings, and land-based physical activities.
- Promote regular physical activity as an important component of chronic disease prevention and wholistic wellness.
- Coordinate recreational activities that accommodate different ages, physical abilities, mobility needs, and fitness levels.
- Establish partnerships with local recreation centres, schools, sports organizations, fitness professionals, and community facilities.
- Encourage participation among individuals who experience barriers to accessing physical activity and recreation.
- Promote safe, inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environments that encourage lifelong healthy living practices.
- Incorporate culturally appropriate activities and traditional recreational practices where possible.
- Ensure appropriate risk assessments, participant safety procedures, and activity supervision are established.

1. Healthy Nutrition Education and Promotion

- Develop and deliver culturally appropriate nutrition education workshops and healthy eating activities.
- Provide practical education on balanced nutrition, food preparation, meal planning, and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Coordinate cooking workshops, food demonstrations, and educational activities that encourage affordable and nutritious eating.
- Support community gardening, traditional food knowledge, harvesting activities, and food sustainability initiatives where appropriate.
- Incorporate Indigenous food traditions and cultural teachings in collaboration with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.




- Promote awareness of nutrition-related health risks and the role of healthy eating in preventing chronic disease.
- Collaborate with qualified health professionals, dietitians, and community partners when specialized nutrition information or services are required.
- Address barriers to healthy eating, including food insecurity, affordability, transportation, and access to nutritious foods.
- Develop educational resources and activities that support healthy eating habits among individuals and families.
- Ensure food preparation activities comply with applicable public health and food safety requirements.

1. Commercial Tobacco Cessation and Smoke-Free Living

- Develop and facilitate educational activities promoting awareness of the health impacts of commercial tobacco use.
- Provide information on the benefits of reducing or discontinuing commercial tobacco use.
- Promote smoke-free environments and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Connect community members with qualified tobacco cessation providers, health professionals, and appropriate support services.
- Organize workshops and awareness activities focused on commercial tobacco prevention and cessation.
- Collaborate with community health organizations to improve access to culturally appropriate cessation resources.
- Support youth-focused education addressing the health impacts of commercial tobacco use and nicotine products.
- Clearly distinguish commercial tobacco use from the sacred, traditional, and ceremonial use of tobacco within Indigenous cultures.
- Respect the cultural significance of traditional tobacco while promoting commercial tobacco harm reduction and smoke-free living.
- Deliver non-judgmental, culturally safe, and supportive health education without providing medical treatment or clinical advice beyond the scope of the position.

1. Youth Leadership Development

- Develop and coordinate youth leadership opportunities connected to health, wellness, recreation, nutrition, and community engagement.
- Encourage Indigenous youth to participate in planning, organizing, and delivering healthy living activities.
- Support youth in developing leadership, communication, teamwork, decision-making, and organizational skills.
- Establish opportunities for mentorship, peer learning, and positive role modelling.
- Support youth-led initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and community wellness.
- Encourage youth participation in sports, recreation, cultural activities, and community events.
- Collaborate with NRNC youth programs to strengthen leadership development and reduce duplication of services.
- Promote youth confidence, cultural identity, self-esteem, and a sense of community responsibility.
- Provide opportunities for youth to contribute their perspectives to program planning and evaluation.

1. Cultural Wellness and Community Engagement

- Incorporate Indigenous cultural teachings, values, and wholistic wellness principles throughout Healthy Living programming.
- Recognize the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance in health promotion.
- Work respectfully with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and cultural resource persons to integrate cultural knowledge into program activities.
- Support land-based learning, traditional food education, cultural recreation, and intergenerational wellness activities.
- Promote community participation through inclusive, culturally grounded, and accessible programming.
- Develop positive relationships with community members and encourage ongoing engagement in healthy living initiatives.
- Respect the distinct traditions, perspectives, and cultural protocols of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

1. Community Partnerships and Collaboration

- Establish and maintain relationships with local health organizations, public health agencies, schools, recreation facilities, sports organizations, and Indigenous service providers.
- Collaborate with NRNC Health, Youth, Cultural, and Family programs to support coordinated wellness programming.
- Identify opportunities for shared activities, community events, and collaborative health promotion initiatives.
- Participate in community meetings, health promotion networks, training opportunities, and relevant working groups.
- Promote awareness and accessibility of the Healthy Living Program throughout the Niagara Region.
- Support partnerships that expand access to physical activity, nutrition education, and community wellness resources.
- Represent NRNC professionally in all community and organizational interactions.

1. Program Administration, Reporting, and Accountability

- Develop and maintain annual work plans, monthly program calendars, activity schedules, and participant engagement strategies.
- Ensure all four mandatory Healthy Living Program components are reflected in program delivery and planning.
- Maintain accurate attendance records, participation statistics, activity summaries, and required administrative documentation.
- Prepare and submit program reports in accordance with NRNC policies and OFIFC reporting requirements.
- Monitor program participation, outcomes, and emerging community needs.
- Ensure all reports and statistical information are completed accurately and submitted within established deadlines.
- Assist with program budgeting, expense tracking, purchasing, inventory management, and resource allocation.
- Maintain confidential participant information in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and organizational policies.
- Participate in program evaluations, monitoring activities, and continuous quality improvement.
- Attend staff meetings, professional development activities,



and organizational events.
- Perform other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned by the designated supervisor.

Qualifications and ExperienceEducation
- A two-year college diploma or university degree in Health Promotion, Community Health, Recreation and Leisure Services, Kinesiology, Indigenous Studies, Social Service Work, Community Development, Nutrition, or a related discipline is preferred.
- An equivalent combination of relevant education, cultural knowledge, lived experience, and demonstrated professional experience may be considered.

Experience and Knowledge
- Experience delivering community-based health promotion, recreation, fitness, nutrition education, or wellness programming.
- Knowledge and understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, histories, traditions, and contemporary health issues.
- Understanding of Indigenous approaches to wholistic wellness and culturally safe service delivery.
- Knowledge of chronic disease prevention, physical activity, healthy nutrition, and health promotion principles.
- Familiarity with commercial tobacco cessation initiatives and the distinction between commercial and traditional ceremonial tobacco.
- Experience organizing group activities, workshops, community events, or recreational programming.
- Experience engaging Indigenous youth in leadership development and community initiatives is considered an asset.
- Understanding of the social determinants of Indigenous health, including food insecurity, housing, poverty, and barriers to recreation and health care.
- Familiarity with the Friendship Centre movement and OFIFC-funded programs is considered an asset.
- Experience developing partnerships with community health organizations and recreation providers is an asset.

Skills and Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong program planning, coordination, organizational, and time-management abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate engaging and inclusive group activities.
- Ability to develop culturally appropriate educational materials and wellness programming.
- Strong written communication, documentation, and report-writing skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Ability to independently manage program responsibilities while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills, initiative, and adaptability.
- Sound professional judgment and commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct.
- Ability to engage respectfully with individuals of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, accessibility, cultural safety, and community well-being.

Additional Employment Requirements
- Valid Ontario Class G driver's licence and access to reliable transportation for work-related travel.
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check where required by the position's duties.
- Willingness to obtain or maintain Standard First Aid and CPR certification.
- Willingness to obtain Safe Food Handling certification where required for program activities.
- Availability to work evenings and weekends to ensure programming is accessible to community members.
- Ability to travel throughout the Niagara Region for programming, meetings, and community events.
- Willingness to participate in professional development and relevant training.
- Commitment to NRNC policies, cultural protocols, confidentiality obligations, and workplace health and safety standards.

Compensation and Benefits Annual Salary: $45,000–$50,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Niagara Regional Native Centre offers:

- NRNC employee benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and ongoing training.
- A supportive, inclusive, and culturally grounded workplace.
- Opportunities to participate in cultural activities, traditional teachings, and community wellness initiatives.
- A collaborative team environment committed to improving Indigenous health and well-being.
- Meaningful employment supporting healthy lifestyles and community connections throughout the Niagara Region.

Indigenous Hiring Preference and Equal Opportunity Employment Niagara Regional Native Centre is an equal chance employer committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

As an Indigenous-led organization serving Indigenous communities, NRNC recognizes the importance of Indigenous representation, lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connections.

In accordance with applicable provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code, including sections 14 and 24 where applicable, preference may be given to qualified First Nations, Métis, and Inuit applicants.

NRNC welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and is committed to maintaining an inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free recruitment process.

Reasonable accommodation is available throughout the recruitment and selection process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

- A current résumé outlining relevant education, qualifications, and professional experience.
- A cover letter describing their interest in the Healthy Living Program Coordinator position and experience in community health promotion or Indigenous wellness programming.
- Contact information for two professional references.

Please submit applications to:

Daniel Harrison

Programs Manager

Niagara Regional Native Centre

Email: [email protected]

Email Subject: Application – Healthy Living Program Coordinator

Application Deadline: OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Applications will be reviewed as received. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Niagara Regional Native Centre thanks all applicants for their interest in contributing to healthy lifestyles, cultural connections, and wholistic well-being throughout the Niagara Region.

Pay: $45,000.00-$50,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Healthy Living Coordinator (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
🏢 Niagara Regional Native Centre
📍 Niagara-on-the-Lake