Indigenous Associate Manager, Mino Bimaadiziwin
**TRANSITION POSITION**
This is an existing position.
Salary Range: $113,143 - $135,779.
Position Summary:
As part of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto’s succession planning, NCFST is seeking an Indigenous Associate Manager for the Mino Bimaadiziwin healing programs.
This role is a 6 to 9 month transitional position meant to bolster leadership skills, exchange knowledge and strengthen capacity with the goal of assuming the Manager, Mino Bimaadiziwin position.
Through mentorship, shared leadership and progressively increased responsibility, this role entails a two-eyed seeing approach focused foremost on cultural stewardship followed by clinical practice excellence across the Mooka’am counselling team, the rebuilding of Concurrent Disorders programming, and the leadership of addictions and mental wellness services delivered within the Mdewgaan Women’s Healing Lodge, with a strong focus on land-based healing practices and culturally grounded care.
This transition role does not carry full oversight of the Mdewgaan Healing Lodge as a whole. Overall Lodge operations will sit under the oversight of the Manager, Housing Stabilization Services, with shared leadership in place for internal services and programming. During this transition, this role will continue to oversee the Mooka’am counselling team and lead the redevelopment of Concurrent Disorders programming.
Key Responsibilities:
Succession‑Focused Leadership & Development:
- Participate in a structured leadership development and succession pathway, gradually assuming increased responsibility for supervision, decision‑making, and operational oversight.
- Work alongside the Manager, Clinical Services to receive mentorship, transfer institutional and cultural knowledge, and build readiness to assume the full Manager role within 6 - 9 months.
- Model values‑based, relational leadership grounded in Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing.
Braided Program Integration:
- Provide leadership for addictions and mental wellness programming within the Mdewgaan Healing Lodge while working in shared leadership with the Manager, Housing Stabilization Services for the coordination of internal services and programming.
- Strengthen alignment across teams so families connected to Child and Family Wellbeing (CFWB) experience seamless, respectful, and timely support.
- Identify gaps, overlaps, and opportunities for deeper braiding of cultural, clinical, land‑based, and relational approaches.
Supervision & Staff Support:
- Provide shared supervision and support across the Mooka’am counselling team and addictions and mental wellness programming within Mdewgaan.
- Support staff wellness, reflective practice, and professional growth, recognizing the emotional and cultural labour inherent in this work.
- Assist with performance development, coaching, and addressing workplace concerns under the guidance of the Manager and HR Business Partner.
Cultural Governance & Indigenous Knowledge Systems:
- Uphold and strengthen cultural governance, ensuring Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and Indigenous teachings meaningfully guide service delivery.
- Support the integration of Ceremony, land-based healing practices, Indigenous languages, and cultural safety into program design and service delivery.
- Help safeguard the integrity of Indigenous knowledge while working respectfully alongside clinical and funding requirements.
Mental Wellness & Addictions Program Development:
- Lead the strengthening of culturally grounded addictions and mental wellness programming, including the rebuilding of Concurrent Disorders services, rooted in Indigenous healing, land-based practice, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and clinical best practices.
- Support relationship‑building with internal teams and external partners to strengthen referral pathways and coordinated responses for individuals and families.
- Participate in planning, documentation, and evaluation activities to support sustainability and continuous learning.
Operational & Systems Support:
- Assist with day‑to‑day operational coordination, scheduling, reporting, and problem‑solving across the blended portfolio.
- Support the Manager in maintaining compliance with organizational policies while advocating for Indigenous‑centered approaches within systems and funder expectations.
- Participate in planning discussions related to service evolution, scope alignment, and long‑term sustainability.
Core Competencies:
Succession‑Oriented Leadership:
- Demonstrates readiness to grow into formal management through curiosity, reflection, accountability, and openness to feedback.
- Understands leadership as service, stewardship, and collective responsibility.
- Able to hold both learning and leadership roles simultaneously during transition.
Cultural Grounding & Indigenous Worldviews:
- Strong grounding in Indigenous culture, community realities, and Indigenous approaches to healing and wellbeing.
- Deep respect for cultural protocols, Ceremony, and the role of Elders and Knowledge Carriers in governance and decision‑making.
- Able to navigate cultural responsibilities with humility, care, and integrity.
Mental Wellness & Healing Practice:
- Experience in mental wellness, addictions, counselling, healing, or related fields, with an understanding of trauma‑informed and harm‑reduction approaches.
- Comfortable working at the intersection of Indigenous healing practices and clinically sound care.
- Able to support staff and clients through complexity, crisis, and systemic stressors.
Relational & Systems Thinking:
- Strong relationship‑builder who can work across teams, disciplines, and perspectives.
- Able to see patterns, connections, and impacts across services rather than operating in silos.
- Brings a collaborative, problem‑solving approach grounded in shared responsibility.
Communication & Accountability:
- Communicates clearly, respectfully, and with warmth in both verbal and written contexts.
- Able to hold boundaries, have difficult conversations, and support accountability in a culturally safe way.
- Understands organizational responsibility, confidentiality, and ethical practice within an Indigenous service context.
Minimum Qualifications and Skills:
Lived experience as a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis person is required and will be recognized as a source of knowledge, expertise, and leadership. A combination of formal education, cultural knowledge, community experience, and professional practice will be fully considered. Candidates may meet the requirements through:
- BSW (or related degree) with 5+ years of progressive supervisory or management experience, MSW with 3+ years of supervisory or management experience, or
- An equivalent combination of formal training, cultural knowledge, community involvement, and progressive leadership experience within social services or Indigenous community programs.
Recognizing the diversity of Indigenous knowledge systems, applicants with strong cultural grounding and community leadership are encouraged to apply even if their formal credentials differ from traditional academic pathways.
Strong supervisory leadership with effective communication, negotiation, diplomacy, and conflict resolution skills; highly developed organization, prioritization, and problem‑solving abilities.
Proficiency with digital databases, project management, and communication technologies for program and data accountability.
Ability to build effective working relationships with internal teams and external partners; commitment to NCFST’s mission and values.
Vulnerable Sector check required; willingness to travel to camp/program locations, with seasonal on‑site presence during peak program operations.
Who We Envision:
We envision a leader who walks in a good way - someone who carries cultural humility, compassion, and wisdom in their approach. You are deeply grounded in Indigenous worldviews and understand the importance of culturally specific Indigenous ways of knowing, Ceremony, connection, and relational accountability in healing work.
We see someone who can hold space for both cultural knowledge and clinical practices, guiding teams with clarity, steadiness, and heart. You are a relationship‑builder who collaborates naturally with Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and team members across Culture, Mooka’am, and Mdewgaan Lodge to support the wellness of children, youth, adults, and families as well as all services across NCFST.
You bring a strong commitment to cultural safety, trauma‑informed practices, and harm reduction, and you are driven by the belief that culture, land, community and identity are central to wellness. You lead with intention, nurture staff, and help shape a future where Indigenous families have access to culturally grounded, Wholistic supports throughout their healing journey.
Use of AI:
NCFST may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with certain aspects of the hiring process, such as screening and assessments. These tools support our team but do not replace human judgment. We are committed to using AI responsibly, fairly, and in compliance with applicable employment and anti-discrimination laws. We regularly review these tools to help prevent bias or discrimination.
Our Commitment:
As a multi-service urban Indigenous agency providing holistic, culture-based programs and services to Indigenous children, and families, NCFST will give priority to applicants who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and those with close affiliations.
In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Native Child will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment and selection process to applicants with disabilities as required. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Human Resources at hrncfst@nativechild.org.
We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Come join our team - and help create a difference in the community
Closing Date: June 04, 2026.