Indigenous Program Co-Facilitator
Job Title: Indigenous Program Co-Facilitator
Location: 413 Dundas Street East
Salary: $49,630 – $55,860. Starting salary: $49,630
Employment Type: Full-Time
Organization Overview:
Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society (TWHLS) is an Indigenous-led healing lodge that provides culturally grounded, trauma-informed supports to Indigenous women, especially those impacted by the justice system. While we adhere to the regulations and protocols required by federal and provincial bodies, we are not a correctional facility. All TWHLS staff are expected to advance the work of the healing lodge through compassion, understanding, and care for all our relations. Staff are guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Respect, Honesty, Truth, Humility, Courage, Wisdom, and Love.
Position Summary:
The Program Co-Facilitator will develop and deliver programming for TWHLS Day-Program “Daughters of the Earth”. Daughters of the Earth is a cultural, strengths-based program that has been developed to assist women on Bail, Probation, and Patole to support their healing journey. The program is offered every day, five days a week and includes support from Elders, Knowledge Carriers, Counsellors, and dedicated staff. The Program Co-Facilitator will work with the ‘Daughter’s of the Earth’, Program’ Manager and Program Counsellor to continue the development of a strong and successful program series. The Program Co-Facilitator will be expected to retain trusted guest-facilitators, keep detailed records, and engage community members to support program participation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate programming that is culturally safe, and trauma informed to Indigenous women experiencing challenges with homelessness, substance use, and mental health.
- This program will offer continuation of support to our women transitioning out of our residential Healing Lodge and women within the community of Toronto.
- Extremely knowledgeable in Indigenous teachings, qualified to present certified trainings, and facilitate talking circles.
- Must be able to understand individual and group dynamics; applying crisis intervention and de-escalation skills when needed.
- Be able to network with community partners, such as the courts, lawyers, social workers to encourage program participation.
- Have a strong relationship with trusted community members, such as Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and Health Practitioners to invite as guest facilitators.
- Must be innovated in addressing our clients’ unique needs, and willing to evolve with necessary transitions.
- Maintain confidential client records and accurate case documentation.
- Attend team meetings, debriefings, and professional development sessions.
Qualifications:
- Diploma or degree in Social Work, Addictions and Mental Health, Indigenous Studies, or a related field; or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 2 years’ experience working with Indigenous women or in a justice setting
- Knowledge of colonization, intergenerational trauma, addictions, and culturally grounded healing.
- Possessing Certified Training in Anger Management, PARS or revenant to the program is considered an asset.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Canva, and Social Media, and Social Work Case Management Software.
- Strong communication, organization, and case management skills.
- Committed to practicing the Seven Grandfather Teaching in everyday work.
- Current Vulnerable Sector Police Check.
- First Aid and CPR, Naloxone, or ASIST Training.
- Valid Driver’s License.
How to Apply:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Lauren Lavallee (l.lavallee@twhls.ca). Indigenous applicants will be considered first in accordance with our commitment to equitable and culturally safe hiring practices.
Deadline:
Open until filled.
Outreach Worker
Job Title: Outreach Worker
Hours of Work: 37.5 hours/week, full-time Salary Range: $55,150 – $62,100 annually Starting Salary: $55,150
Reports to: Outreach/Housing Supervisor
Job Summary
The Outreach Worker will provide culturally competent service to Indigenous women who have experienced violence, incarceration, and shelter insecurity. This position is a full-time position. The Outreach Worker will represent Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society by demonstrating the qualities of the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Respect, Honesty, Truth, Humility, Courage Wisdom and Love.
Culturally Grounded Outreach and Relationship Building
- Engage with individuals in a respectful, trauma-informed, and culturally safe way, guided by Indigenous values such as respect, humility, and relational accountability.
- Conduct regular community outreach to support individuals experiencing homelessness, isolation, food insecurity, or other forms of marginalization.
- Offer direct support to individuals who are at risk due to poverty, systemic barriers, substance use, mental health, or disconnection from cultural roots.
- Serve as a bridge between clients and Indigenous-focused supports, such as Elders, Knowledge Keepers, traditional healers, land-based programs, and ceremonies.
- Assist individuals in navigating systems (health, legal, housing, ) while advocating for their rights and needs with cultural integrity.
Client Support
- Support clients through a strength-based approach that focuses on healing, reconnection, and meeting practical needs.
- Provide culturally appropriate referrals and help clients access food security programs, rent and housing supports, personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene supplies, and harm reduction resources.
- Assist with accessing medical or mental health supports, and ensure clients are connected to services that align with their goals and cultural identity.
- Offer emotional support through active listening, grounded presence, and recognition of each person’s story, resilience, and dignity.
- Support documentation needs (e.g., ID, medical forms, applications for services) with patience and
Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordination
- Collaborate with community members, Elders, volunteers, and staff to deliver outreach programs that reflect community traditions and meet current needs.
- Coordinate volunteers for outreach activities, ensuring they understand cultural safety and community
- Represent the agency at community events, ceremonies, and gatherings as a caring and knowledgeable
- Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers, grassroots groups, and partner organizations.
Program Administration
- Maintain accurate case notes, outreach records, and program documentation in alignment with organization guidelines.
- Prepare regular reports and collect statistics as requested to support transparency and continuous
- Exercise good judgment and discretion when working with confidential and sensitive
- Monitor safety during outreach activities and follow organizational health and safety
Team and Organizational Responsibilities
- Contribute to the orientation of new staff, students, and volunteers in a spirit of learning and community
- Actively participate in team meetings, case reviews, and knowledge-sharing
- Support and strengthen outreach services by offering ideas, feedback, and solutions rooted in community
- Comply with agency policies and participate in organizational initiatives that reflect the values of respect, equity, and Indigenous sovereignty.
- Participate in healing, wellness, or debriefing circles as needed, to support your own wellbeing and that of the team.
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications
- Lived or learned experience supporting Indigenous communities, with an understanding of intergenerational trauma, colonization, and systemic barriers.
- Strong understanding of Indigenous cultures, languages, teachings, and
- Experience in outreach, case management, social work, peer support, or community health is an
- Culturally competent, trauma-informed, and committed to anti-oppressive, harm reduction, and client- centered practices.
- Strong communication and active listening skills, with the ability to engage compassionately and
- Able to work independently while contributing meaningfully to a team-centered, community-based
- Demonstrated ability to manage crisis situations calmly and
- First Aid/CPR certification
- Ability to travel within the community as
- Drivers license is an asset
How to Apply:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Patti Pettigrew (p.pettigrew@twhls.ca). Indigenous applicants will be considered first in accordance with our commitment to equitable and culturally safe hiring practices.
Deadline:
Friday, Aug 1st, 2025 at 5:00pm
Request For Expressions of Interest (EOI). Indigenous Artists – Logo Redesign
Introduction
Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society (TWHLS) is seeking an Indigenous* graphic artist or artist/illustrator to design a new symbol and wordmark to anchor the organization’s branding.
Interested Indigenous* artists should reply to this EOI with a statement of artist interest, initial concept drawings, portfolio examples, and resume or summary qualifications by February 3rd, 2025.
TWHLS will select up to three artists to further develop their logo proposals.
- Selected artists will be notified by February 10th;
- Each selected artist will receive an honorarium of $1,000 to develop and present their design concepts for Board review by March 3rd, 2025.
* All First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit artists are eligible to apply. Please note that verification of Indigenous identity is required.
Logo Requirements
The finished logo must reflect the vision, mission, and values of TWHLS. To learn more, please visit twhls.ca
The finished logo should be a combined symbol and wordmark that can be reproduced in colour, black and white, or negative versions, as well as horizontal or vertical layouts. TWHLS will anchor its key branding colours to align with the logo.
Ability to provide files in vector format is an asset but artists working in non-digital media will be supported to digitize their work.
Submission Requirements
Please email Patti Pettigrew with:
- Artist Statement expressing their motivation to design TWHLS’ logo and the Spirit of their concept (200 words max.)
- Concept drawings showing proposed creative approach to the logo design.
- Expectations of proposed artist fee if selected as the final candidate.
- Artist biography / resume with contact information and outline of experience in logo design and graphic design / branding, if any.
- A selection of reference images of past artwork examples.
- Confirm preferred media for artwork (i.e. digital / traditional)
Selection Process
TWHLS will review all expressions of interest submitted. Selected artist(s) will be chosen based on artistic merit, professional experience and capacity to complete the project.
About TWHLS
Based in Toronto and Indigenous-led, Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society (TWHLS) provides trauma informed, culturally appropriate services to First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit 2SLGBTQIA+ women involved with the judicial system and survivors of inter-generational trauma.
We believe the best way to reduce the persistent over-representation of Indigenous women in jail is to create opportunities for us to thrive. Our Healing Lodge at 2217 Kingston Road will provide Indigenous women with safe accommodation and culturally appropriate supports to recover from their experiences of trauma, restore balance, and gain skills for independent living.
Grounded in the Seven Grandfather Teachings and the Medicine Wheel, our programming focuses on a holistic experience that meets the emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental aspects of the individual. Support programs address historical traumas, promote reconnection to culture and community, and foster life skills needed to journey toward balance and independence.
