Indigenous Relations Specialist

Job Summary

This position will play a key role in ensuring that there is an Indigenous lens/perspective to the work at Halton Region. The position will support the development and implementation of an Indigenous Relations Strategy. The position will support building productive relationships with Indigenous First Nations, Communities, Leaders and Organizations that will promote reconciliation

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinate and champion various education, awareness and training for regional staff on various topics related to Indigenous Rights, Indigenous Relations, Cultural Competency, and Reconciliation. 
• Support the implementation of an Indigenous Relations Strategy and Indigenous Relations communication strategy.
• Liaise with program areas, departments and divisions within Halton Region to support cross-divisional collaboration and coordination.
• Monitor current social and emerging issues for Indigenous communities.
• Contribute to facilitating the process towards improved relationships with First Nations, Indigenous organizations and Indigenous residents. 
• Research, designs and recommends an approach for ongoing Reconciliation Action for Halton Region, aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 
• Promote internal awareness and understanding of cultural protocols and information about the needs and priorities of Indigenous communities.
• Advocate across the organization to integrate Indigenous rights and perspectives into decision making.
• Keep current on Indigenous issues and programs by maintaining relationships and community connections.
• Support policy development processes and perform complex and sensitive policy analysis, as required. 
• Execute reporting and monitoring mechanisms that track the progress and overall effectiveness of programs, initiatives, and activities.
• Provide vision and guidance to regional staff in the development and implementation of reconciliation initiatives that support steps toward Indigenization and in their work with Indigenous communities.
• Support regional staff as policies, programs and services are established, reviewed or modified to ensure that service delivery meets the needs of the Indigenous communities.
• Recommend the development of internal policies and programs to support Indigenous communities and work with regional staff to implement them.
• Exercise diplomacy and tact when balancing the needs of community organizations and stakeholders against organizational and political priorities and constraints.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Self-identification and lived experience as an Indigenous person such as First Nations/Inuit/Métis with deep roots in and connections to Indigenous communities.
• Bachelor degree in Indigenous Studies or a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and/or related experience that may include knowledge gained from training with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers or Elders. 
• Understanding of traditional Indigenous knowledge, world views, and decision-making processes.
• Have relationships with and ability to connect to traditional knowledge keepers and Indigenous communities for fulsome engagement and consultation.
• Understanding of the impacts of colonization in Canada, with a strong commitment to Indigenous rights and sovereignty, equity, anti-racism, collaboration and advocacy for reconciliation. 
• Knowledge and understanding of the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in community building which may include developing strategies and successfully implementing policies and programs that support Indigenous peoples.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience building partnerships and working with Indigenous communities.
• Effective communication (written/verbal), report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills, and ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective research and analytical abilities.

Preferred

• Previous work experience in government, not-for-profit sector, private or community service agencies.

Working/ Employment Conditions

Working Conditions

• This position will be a hybrid position working at Halton Regional Centre a minimum of 3 days a week.