Indigenous Support Navigator/Auntie
Term: Temporary Full-Time (Maternity Leave Coverage, with potential for extension)
Anticipated Start Date: August 4, 2025
Location: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Salary: $60,060 – $72,800 annually ($33–$40/hour)
Hours: 35 hours/week, primarily Monday to Friday. Some evenings and weekends required based on community needs.
Workplace: Combination of in-office and in-community work
Head Office: Fireweed Wellness Lodge – Unit #6, 9912 Manning Ave, Fort McMurray, AB
Benefits: Health and wellness package available following probationary period
About the Role
The Indigenous Support Navigator / Auntie is a frontline caregiver and community connector. This role is dedicated to helping Indigenous families navigate complex health and social systems, ensuring they have ongoing access to culturally safe care, trusted advocacy, and essential supports. Whether it’s securing prenatal care, housing, or child welfare advocacy, you will walk alongside families with respect, heart, and strength.
Based at Fireweed Wellness Lodge, home of Ihkapaskwa Collective and the Aunties Within Reach program, this position focuses on wraparound, trauma-informed support for families, grounded in Indigenous teachings, traditional knowledge, and collective care. You will also participate in community events, ceremonies, and outreach work across the region.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
- A culturally safe, land-based work environment rooted in kinship and community care
- Ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for growth
- A meaningful role in rebuilding Indigenous systems of support and wellness
Key Responsibilities1. Navigation, Resources, & Ongoing Support
- Help families navigate health and social service systems, including mental health, housing, prenatal care, Child and Family Services (CFS), addictions support, legal aid, medical travel and more
- Provide direct advocacy, helping clients access culturally appropriate services and communicate with agencies
- Offer consistent, ongoing emotional and practical support throughout each family’s journey
- Develop and maintain personalized “Circle of Care” wellness and safety plans
- Walk alongside clients with warmth, integrity, and a grounded understanding of local realities
2. Program and Community Engagement
- Help plan, support and/or deliver programming on parenting, grief, crafts, cultural teachings, life skills, and wellness to urban and rural families
- Foster relationships with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to connect families to ceremony and traditional guidance
- Represent Aunties Within Reach in outreach circles across the region
- Adapt programming to meet the unique needs and strengths of each community
3. Fireweed Wellness Lodge-Based Care
- Triage intakes for client load and needs assessments
- Book person appointments with clients
- Answering inquiries on the Aunties Within Reach phone line
- Be an integral part of the Lodge a supportive care team environment
- Participate in hosted wellness events and support cross-program collaboration
4. Collaboration, Documentation & Administration
- Participate in team meetings, peer case conferencing, collaborative planning and inter-agency case meetings
- Maintain clear, confidential records using Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
- Manage referrals, schedule follow-ups, and keep detailed notes of supports offered
Qualifications
Required:
- Experience supporting Indigenous families with direct advocacy, systems navigation, or family-centered programming
- Strong understanding of the barriers Indigenous families face in accessing health, housing, and social services
- Foundational knowledge of Child and Family Services (CFS) systems and trauma-informed care
- Strong ability to build trust, listen deeply, and support people through times of stress and change
- Proficiency in EMR systems, scheduling, and administrative follow-up
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to surrounding communities
Preferred Assets:
- Training in Crisis Response, Indigenous Birthwork, or Perinatal Mental Health
- Experience in a community based supportive role, or Social Work Diploma or Degree or related experience
- Community-based references that affirm your care work, values, and trustworthiness
Who Should ApplyThis position is intended for someone who self-identifies as Indigenous(First Nations, Métis, or Inuit). In recognition of the lived experience and cultural wisdom needed to walk beside families in this role, preference will be given to candidates with strong ties to Indigenous traditions, teachings, and community care practices. You must live in or near the urban centre of Fort McMurray.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,060.00-$72,800.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Application question(s):
- Do you identify as First Nation, Metis or Inuit?
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- Resource navigation: 3 years (preferred)
- Case management: 2 years (preferred)
Location:
- Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2B9 (required)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2025-07-05
Expected start date: 2025-08-04
