NICHE Pain Care is a community-based clinic in Thunder Bay providing accessible, compassionate, and evidence-informed care for children and youth living with chronic pain across Northwestern Ontario. Our interdisciplinary team works together to improve quality of life, reduce barriers to care, and support families through connection, education, and collaboration. As a much-needed complement to hospital-based pain services, NICHE is dedicated to advancing access, equity, and innovation in pain care by closing critical gaps and delivering community-driven solutions for people living with pain.

Position Type : Full Time, Permanent

Reports to : Clinical Manager, NICHE Pain Care

Position Summary

Key Responsibilities

Patient & Family Support

- Provide culturally safe, trauma-informed navigation for Indigenous children, youth, and families.
- Explain clinic processes, appointments, treatment plans, and available supports.
- Identify needs related to social determinants of health and assist with accessing resources.
- Support communication between families and clinicians.
- Prepare patients for appointments and accompany them when appropriate.
- Liaise with health and community services to support smooth care transitions.
- Facilitate access to traditional healing and cultural practices.
- Provide culturally appropriate, youth-friendly education about chronic pain and self-management.

Cultural Safety & Two-Eyed Seeing

- Foster a culturally welcoming and inclusive environment for Indigenous families.
- Build relationships with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, cultural organizations, and community supports.
- Offer guidance to staff on Indigenous cultures, histories, and protocols.
- Support the integration of Indigenous perspectives into programming and educational materials.
- Participate in teachings,



cultural activities, and land-based initiatives.
- Contribute to reconciliation efforts and activities that honour Indigenous knowledge.

Youth Engagement, Education & Empowerment

- Develop and deliver youth-friendly engagement activities and group sessions.
- Co-design youth engagement strategies with the care team and youth themselves.
- Provide supportive check-ins for youth navigating chronic pain or complex circumstances.
- Facilitate youth participation in program development and leadership activities.
- Encourage youth-led projects and creative or cultural initiatives.

Outreach, Partnerships & Community Engagement

- Build and maintain partnerships with Indigenous communities, schools, and youth agencies.
- Represent NICHE Pain Care at community events and outreach activities.
- Advocate for equitable access to care for Indigenous youth.
- Support coordinated care planning across health, social, and education sectors.
- Serve as a connector between the clinic and community partners.

Program Development & Administration

- Participate in program planning, evaluation, and quality improvement.
- Support documentation, reporting, and resource development in alignment with PHIPA.
- Assist with the development and evaluation of culturally grounded and youth-centred programming.
- Perform administrative and coordination tasks related to navigation and youth engagement.

Required Qualifications





- Lived experience as an Indigenous person (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis).
- Robust knowledge of Indigenous cultures, teachings, languages, and community contexts.
- Experience supporting children, youth, or families in community, health, or social service settings.
- Ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with families and community partners.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and advocacy skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in Indigenous health navigation, community outreach, youth work, or social services.
- Knowledge of traditional healing practices and community-based supports.
- Experience with chronic pain, disability, mental health, or wellness programming.
- Experience with Two-Eyed Seeing or land-based approaches.
- Familiarity with local Indigenous communities and service networks.
- Diploma or degree in a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Experience with youth leadership, group facilitation, or program development.
- Ability to speak Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, or another Indigenous language.

Working Conditions

- Combination of clinic-based, community-based, and land-based work.
- Potential district travel.
- Regular business hours with some flexibility for youth programming or community events.

Compensation and Benefits

- Competitive salary commensurate with experience ($67,480 - $80,048 annually).
- Comprehensive health and dental benefits.
- Ongoing opportunities for professional, cultural, and trauma-informed training and development.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Interested applicants should submit their resume with covering letter by March 1, 2026 to: Clinical Manager, NICHE Pain Care.,

Pay: $67,480.00-$80,048.00 per yea

📌 Indigenous Youth & Family Wellness Navigator (Thunder Bay)
🏢 NICHE Pain Care
📍 Thunder Bay