Fire Keeper

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  • CompanyAtlohsa Family Healing Services
  • Job TypeHuman/Social Services
  • Required ExperienceEntry Level
  • Job TypeContract
  • Education / CredentialsCurrent Vulnerable Sector check required.
  • ResumeRequired
  • Cover LetterRequired
  • Application Deadline08/31/2025

Job Description

Atlohsa Family Healing Services

Job Title: Fire Keeper

Location: London, Ontario

Closing Date: August 15, 2025

Employment Term: Full-time; contract to December 31, 2025 (with strong possibility of extension)

Salary: $25.00 per hour

About Atlohsa

Atlohsa Family Healing Services is a non-profit organization in Southwestern Ontario dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities through traditional and land-based healing practices. Since 1986, we have provided low-barrier, wraparound services to individuals and families facing complex challenges such as mental wellness, substance use, homelessness, and domestic violence. Our holistic wellness approach is rooted in the Seven Sacred Grandfather Teachings and the Medicine Wheel Teachings, utilizing Indigenous Knowledge Keepers’ wisdom alongside trauma-informed and strengths-based methods to support the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our community. We emphasize land-based healing, recognizing nature’s vital role in the healing journey, aiming to inspire, empower, and instill pride and belonging within the community as we strive to promote Mino Bimaadiziwin, The Good Way of Life.

About the Program

Launched in December 2021, Wiiigwaminaan Lodge is a collaborative initiative between Atlohsa Family Healing Services, St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and the City of London, aimed at addressing Indigenous homelessness. The name “Wiigiwaaminaan,” meaning “Our lodge we collectively look after” in Anishinaabemowin, emphasizes community care and shared responsibility. The lodge supports Indigenous individuals aged 16 and older through land-based services, offering a culturally resonant space alongside essential amenities like meals, showers, and laundry for the wider community.

About the Role

The Firekeeper’s main role is to provide community members who are unsheltered culturally appropriate services while providing a safe space for them to receive rest, food and engagement.  The Firekeeper works primarily outdoors at the teepee taking care of the fire, creating a welcoming and safe space for Wiiigiwaminaan participants. The goal of the Firekeeper is to maintain confidentiality of all participants and documents of the Giwetashkad program, and will work in a fast paced, unpredictable environment. This may include providing lay counselling, use of assessment tools and proactively intervening when crisis or conflict arises; which may include aggressive or disruptive “in the moment” behavior due to substance use, mental health challenges, or trauma. The Firekeeper will record accurate and detailed shift notes and must be able to provide clear, concise objective communication regarding community members engaging within the Giwetashkad program (Wiigiwaaminaan, Outreach, Rapid- Re-Housing and Supportive housing). The Firekeeper will work to ensure that Atlohsa Family Healing Services is a safe space for all community members accessing services and programming by referring community members to more appropriate locations if the need shall arise.

Experience and Qualifications

Suitability 

  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the languages, traditional ways, history, and cultures of the Indigenous population in the London region.
  • Strong analysis of colonialism and the ways in which historical and ongoing colonization impacts Indigenous people intergenerational.
  • Current knowledge of Indigenous community services and resources.
  • Understanding of Indigenous homelessness.
  • Experience working with marginalized individuals.
  • Demonstrated ability to receive training support, supervision, and direction.
  • Demonstrated strengths in interpersonal relations, problem-solving, crisis intervention, group dynamics, community development, and other innovative approaches.
  • Understanding of cultural safety and an awareness of its impact on practice.
  • Skills in conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation (to build trust and resolve disagreements).
  • Excellent organizational and coordination skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Effective communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with others in a respectful manner as defined in the Atlohsa Code of Conduct.
  • Ability to Communicate with SJHC Facilities, the London Fire Department and Atlohsa management as needed to ensure safety of site.
  • Ability to Perform manual labour such as cutting and stacking wood.
  • Current Vulnerable Sector check required.
  • Consideration of Lived ExperiencesWhile applicants are under no obligation to do so, Atlohsa welcomes applicants to indicate their own lived experiences of homelessness, substance use, and/or Indigenous community teachings within their application. Professional experiences, academic experiences, traditional teachings, and personal lived experiences are all valuable forms of knowledge.

How to Apply

Why Work for Atlohsa? 

  • We have a strong commitment to our cultural teachings and traditional knowledge practices, which encompass not just our programs but our daily interactions in the workplace, including:
  • Regular opportunities for staff to engage in ceremonies and cultural gatherings.
  • Access for staff to connect with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to foster active participation in cultural traditions.
  • We strive to inspire, empower, and instill a profound sense of pride and belonging within the community while promoting Mino Bimaadiziwin, The Good Way of Life.

How to Apply

If interested to apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Fire Keeper in your subject line. Within the body of your email, please provide answers to the following questions:

  • Please briefly outline where your experience with or understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis communities comes from. You may note professional, academic, or your own personal lived/community experience.
  • Are you a First Nations, Inuk, or Métis applicant? If yes, please indicate which community you are from. If you are not connected to your community, just write what you know.

At Atlohsa, we value diversity in our workforce and encourage all qualified candidates to apply, however, due to the nature of our organization, preferences will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources to make arrangements. We thank all those who apply however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.