Ndakiimnaan Healing Lodge Cultural Coordinator

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  • CompanyAtlohsa
  • Job TypeHuman/Social Services
  • Required Experience3 years
  • Job TypeFull Time
  • Education / CredentialsMasters Degree in in Indigenous Studies, or related field
  • ResumeRequired
  • Cover LetterRequired
  • Application Deadline12/12/2025

Job Description

Job Title: Ndakiimnaan Healing Lodge Cultural Coordinator
Location: London, Ontario
Closing Date: December 12th
Employment Term: Full-time, Permanent
Number of Positions: 1
Salary: $32.00 to $36.00 per hour

About Atlohsa
Atlohsa Family Healing Services is an Indigenous led 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 a Two-Eyed Seeing approach that emphasizes collaboration, mutual respect, and the recognition that both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

About the Program
Ndakiimnaan (an Anishinaabe word, meaning on the land) Healing Lodge is a land-based program intended to support First Nations, Inuit, and Metis individuals recover from addictions. This is achieved through land-based traditional Indigenous methods to heal from addictions and its effects and promote wholistic health and wellbeing. A motto commonly used amongst staff is “Spirit First,” acknowledging that the service we provide comes from the highest levels of care and that our conduct is one of firm respect for all community members, both staff and participants. Ndakiimnaan has a special focus on empowering families and a secondary focus on the prevention and healing from gender-based violence. Programming is designed to offer both day and residential addictions treatment for Indigenous peoples, fostering a nurturing environment where participants can engage with Indigenous cultural teachings and practices, access support from experienced staff, and develop skills that promote personal and communal wellness. By focusing on strategies that see and honour whole people in their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical selves, Ndakiimnaan seeks to build and enhance the overall wellbeing of its participants, their families, communities, and nations.

About the Role
Reporting to the Ndakiimnaan Healing Lodge Manager, the Cultural Coordinator will Collaborate with Elder(s) to coordinate cultural activities, as well as design, develop and implement land-based cultural programming. The Cultural Coordinator will assist in annual program scheduling, Support Worker scheduling, and provide support to the Program Manager. This role includes leading and supervising Ndakiimnaan
staff, maintaining the personal and cultural safety of participants, and gathering traditional medicines. This position will require knowledge of Indigenous communities (cultural practices and values), and experience working with Indigenous people experiencing homelessness, mental health imbalance, trauma and violence, crisis and substance use.  The Cultural Coordinator will collaborate with Elders/Knowledge Keepers and Language Holders, as well as the Atlohsa Team to coordinate cultural activities, as well as supporting the implementation of land-based cultural programming

Why Work for Atlohsa?
We offer competitive pay and benefits:

  • $32.00 to $36.00 per hour per hour
  • 100% employer provided benefits
  • Employer-Employee contributory Pension plan

We are committed to ensuring YOUR work-life balance and offer extensive paid time off:

  • Three (3) weeks vacation, accessible in your first year of employment and increased entitlement based on years of service.
  • Up to 12 paid sick days per year.
  • Up to 12 paid self-development days per year
  • We recognize 14 statutory holidays every year.

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.

Experience and Qualifications

Suitability

  • Possesses a master’s level degree in Indigenous Studies, or related field and/or equivalent relevant combination of experience and education, including knowledge of Indigenous culture and ceremony (ie. Longhouse, Sundance, Midewewin)
  • Possesses a minimum of 3 years’ experience working directly with/supporting Indigenous people with lived experience of homelessness/addictions/trauma and violence
  • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the languages, traditional ways, history and cultures of the Indigenous population in the Southwestern Ontario region.
  • Thorough understanding of Indigenous homelessness, Indigenous harm reduction, cultural safety, and ongoing and historic colonization
  • Solid understanding of key recommendations from both the provincial and federal Truth & Reconciliation reports and the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People
  • Experience with program development and evaluation with a focus on Indigenous land-based healing practice
  • Comfortable facilitating collaboration among a diverse group of community members, with demonstrated ability to bring people together
  • Demonstratable understanding of harm reduction
  • Ability to intervene during crisis as necessary and work to intervene before a crisis escalates and provide appropriate follow-up.
  • Able to interpret and effectively manage multiple and competing priorities and deadlines
  • Proven ability to organize, evaluate, communicate, present and facilitate information, both verbally and written
  • Proficient use of various office-based software, including Microsoft Office Suite
  • Ability and willingness to spend time outdoors and perform minor physical labor such as building sweat lodge, harvesting plants and medicines, outdoor recreational activity

Consideration of Lived Experiences

While 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

How to Apply
If interested to apply for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Cultural Coordinator 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.