Director of Indigenous Relations (Full-time)

About the Organization

Main Street Project (MSP) is a community health Centre with a mandate to address the social determinants of health which give rise to issues of addiction, physical and mental health issues and homelessness. MSP uses housing-first and harm reduction principles in the provision of a safe, respectful and accessible place for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in the community. Since 1972, MSP has been providing a range of services to Winnipeg's most marginalized residents, including emergency shelter and nutrition services, drug and alcohol withdrawal management services, health advocacy and support, case management services, housing support services, food bank services and a mobile community outreach program.

Are you seeking a career where you can be part of a dynamic, diverse team, and where the mission is centered around ensuring everyone has access to a safe environment that promotes dignity, respect, and self-determination? Main Street Project is committed to developing impactful and meaningful solutions that drive positive changes in our community. The work you do here will have a lasting, meaningful impact on those we serve.

At Main Street Project, we believe that the best work happens when diverse minds come together. We believe in building and fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. Our commitment to diversity, including embracing Truth & Reconciliation, Decolonization and Anti-Oppression, is embedded in our culture and drives the success of the organization. Our team is made up of talented individuals from various backgrounds and life experiences, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives.

Position Summary

As an organization that is committed to harm reduction, ending homelessness, anti-oppression, and Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize the importance in actively engaging with our community to create safe spaces for healing and integrating culturally appropriate perspectives and resources.

To strengthen our role as Indigenous allies, it is incumbent upon us to ensure all our services are culturally appropriate, that our staff and board has more Indigenous representation, and that we are sufficiently trained and implementing culturally appropriate practices.

The Indigenous Director is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation and Anti-oppression strategies at the operational level in Main Street Project; guide the internal coordination of Indigenous engagement and consultation; building relationships between various Indigenous organizations, communities, stakeholders, and leadership; guiding Indigenous protocols and training, as well as leading innovation in operations towards cultural responsivity and trauma-informed service provisions.

Program Areas

The director of Indigenous Relations directly oversees the following area

1. Provide support and management of the Indigenous Leadership Circle (ILC). The ILC is the advisory body to MSP on operational and directional decisions related to TRC work within the organization and community
2. Oversee the IR manager, Skabes, Knowledge Keepers and Elders working within MSP operations. This includes providing support, guidance and connections to ceremony, culture, training and support.
3. Lead and facilitate training for MSP staff related to Indigenous relations, Truth and Reconciliation, and cultural practices.
4. Work with Human Resources to review and adapt hiring practices and polices to ensure MSP is hiring and supporting more Indigenous employees and developing appropriate supports for all MSP staff.
5. Develop and provide supports for community members connecting to their home communities including building connections and pathways to support those wanting to return to their home communities in a good way.

Key Responsibilities

Lead & Advise on Indigenous Relations

• Provide advice, guidance, consultation, feedback, and decision support to MSP Board of Directors related to all aspects on Indigenous relations, engagement, programming, and community.
• Facilitate Indigenous Leadership Circle meetings to guide and advise MSP on Indigenous programming, business planning and strategic directions.
• Review agency structure and capacity.
• Support policy development, protocols, and processes, as required.
• Assist the Executive Director with all Indigenous relations matters.

Build Cultural Competency

• Develop recommendations to advance dialogue and make progress on Truth and Reconciliation within MSP.
• Facilitate the exchange of information and support coordination between staff who engage with Indigenous Peoples in the course of delivering their programs.
• Lead education and training for MSP staff in cultural awareness, Truth and Reconciliation, and anti-oppression.
• Monitor progress to ensure that program objectives, and strategic objectives are being met for Indigenous communities and lived-experience individuals.

Relationship-Building

• Be a liaison to the community and provide interventions in the community work to address concerns inside and outside of MSP.
• Lead engagement with the surrounding Indigenous communities, lived-experience individuals and organizations.
• Manage relationships, structures and tools to support the development and implementation of anti-oppression and Truth and Reconciliation goals from MSP’s Strategic plan.
• Collaborate with potential Indigenous organizations and stakeholders to form or maintain partnerships with MSP.
• Reporting on MSP’s relations with the broader Indigenous community.

The Director of Indigenous Relations assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Education & Qualifications

• Significant experience developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with Indigenous communities, stakeholders, and organizations.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the factors and issues impacting and influencing Indigenous communities, especially urban Indigenous communities. This includes the history and experiences of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities in Winnipeg.
• Significant experience in a leadership capacity in comparable, complex organizations
• Related educational experience including post secondary and/or land-based education
• Strong knowledge of and experience with Indigenous culture and practices
• Experience in program management, strategic planning, budgets and finance
• Satisfactory Criminal Record with clear Vulnerable Sector Search, and a clear Adult Abuse Registry Check required.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License

Skills & Specifications

• Ability to assess program requirements, develop policies, procedures and delivery strategies to meet operating mandates and expected outcomes, evaluate program effectiveness from needs perspective, and provide recommendations to improve program implementation and management
• Effective consultative, facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, problem solving and consensus building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain constructive working relationships with other directors, managers and staff, other branches of government and various external stakeholders including housing associations, health authorities and provincial and federal governments
• Excellent project management, analytical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Proven financial acumen, with the ability to improve effectiveness and efficiency through the management and utilization of human, financial, and physical resources.
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to direct, motivate, evaluate, and recognize staff; proven ability to share skills and knowledge with others.
• Proficiency with office computer equipment and software
• Competent in the application of Health and Safety standards
• Working knowledge and understanding of the various components of human resource management. Experience in a unionized environment is considered an asset.
• Commitment to the principles that guide Main Street Project, as reflected in the history, vision, mission and values.
• Proven ability to work within an interdisciplinary work environment with respect, professionalism, cooperation, sensitivity and cultural awareness.
• Strong knowledge, commitment and demonstrated ability to apply diversity, equity, cultural safety, pro-choice, social determinants of health, population health, anti-oppression, harm reduction, trauma-informed and community development principles in all aspects of the work.
• Ability to work flexible hours to allow for attendance at meetings and may include evening, holiday, or weekend consultation.
• Knowledge of TRC Calls to Action, MMIWG Calls to Justice, and UNDRIP
• Additional languages (Indigenous) are considered an asset

Values & Competencies

Alignment with Organizational Values

Commitment to the principles that guide Main Street Project, as reflected in the history, vision, mission and values.

Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions and the impact of colonization on the health and well-being of Indigenous individuals and families.

MSP Philosophies

Strong knowledge, commitment and demonstrated ability to apply diversity, equity, cultural safety, pro-choice, social determinants of health, population health, anti-oppression, harm reduction, trauma-informed and community development principles in all aspects of the work.

Key Competencies

• Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Crisis Management
• Decision Making
• Verbal Communication
• Service Excellence
• Accountability

Main Street Project offers

• Competitive wages within the nonprofit sector
• Health & Dental Benefits
• Pension Plan
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Paid Sick and Family days
• Shift Premiums
• Employee Assistance Program

Application deadline: Position will remain open until filled

Main Street Project recognizes the importance of building a workforce that is reflective of the community it serves, where culture, language and perspectives drive a high standard of care and service. Therefore, preference will be given to Indigenous people and those who reflect the people/population we serve. Applicants are asked to self-declare in their cover letter along with describing how they meet the above qualifications.

We thank all applicants but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.