Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women Incorporated
c/o Hamilton Native Women’s Centre
Job Title: Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper
The Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women’s Incorporated, operating as the Hamilton Native Women’s Centre (NWC) is an Indigenous lead, not for profit organization, providing a secure and empowering environment for women and children fleeing domestic violence/gender-based violence/intimate partner violence, suffering from homelessness, and/or human trafficking.
We are culturally based and committed to creating positive outcomes for Indigenous women and their children. As a staff member of the Hamilton Native Women’s Centre, you will have an opportunity for professional growth and access to traditional ways of being and knowing. We strive to uphold pre-colonial management and policy structure, while being supportive and maintaining a positive work atmosphere.
Department: Healing and Wellness, Cultural Department
Reporting to: Manager of Healing and Wellness Cultural Department
Primary Purpose of Role: Cultural Teachings, Ceremony, Mentorship
The Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper provides culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and Indigenous-centred cultural, spiritual, emotional, and traditional support to Indigenous women, Two-Spirit people, gender-diverse individuals, and their children who are accessing shelter and transitional living services due to intimate partner violence (IPV), gender-based violence (GBV), violence against women (VAW), and related forms of abuse.
Grounded in Indigenous teachings, cultural protocols, traditional knowledge, and community relationships, the Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper supports residents in reconnecting with their identities, cultures, languages, traditions, spirituality, families, and communities where safe and appropriate.
The position contributes to creating a safe, welcoming, respectful, and culturally affirming environment in which residents can begin or continue their healing journeys at their own pace. The Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper works collaboratively with shelter staff, transitional housing workers, cultural support workers, and community partners to promote holistic well-being, cultural continuity, empowerment, self-determination, and pathways toward safety and stability.
The role honours the diverse Nations, traditions, languages, identities, and lived experiences of Indigenous peoples and recognizes that cultural and spiritual healing may be an important part of recovery from violence, trauma, displacement, and intergenerational harm.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Cultural and Spiritual Support
- Provide culturally appropriate teachings, guidance, encouragement, and support to residents who request or welcome these services.
- Offer opportunities for cultural connection, including traditional teachings, storytelling, prayer, ceremony, land-based activities, language, songs, crafts, and other practices consistent with the Elder's or Knowledge Keeper's teachings and protocols.
- Support residents in reconnecting with their Indigenous identity, ancestry, Nation, community, and cultural traditions where desired.
- Provide individual cultural support and facilitate group teachings, sharing circles, and cultural activities in accordance with community protocols and residents' choices.
- Support residents in exploring cultural strengths, resilience, self-worth, belonging, and hope.
- Respect the diversity of Indigenous cultures and avoid assuming that all residents share the same spiritual beliefs, traditions, or cultural practices.
- Ensure cultural activities are voluntary, accessible, and responsive to residents' individual needs, identities, and preferences.
2.Trauma-Informed and Culturally Safe Healing
- Provide a compassionate, non-judgmental, and culturally safe presence for residents who have experienced violence, coercive control, trauma, grief, loss, exploitation, displacement, or intergenerational harm.
- Offer traditional perspectives and culturally grounded approaches to healing that complement, but do not replace, professional counselling, medical care, legal assistance, or other specialized services.
- Support residents in identifying their strengths, cultural resources, protective factors, and personal pathways toward healing and recovery.
- Recognize the effects of colonization, residential and day schools, the Sixties Scoop, the child welfare system, racism, systemic discrimination, and historical and ongoing violence against Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit people, and gender-diverse people.
- Avoid practices that blame, shame, pressure, or re-traumatize survivors.
- Respect each resident's right to make their own decisions about healing, relationships, family connections, cultural participation, and future goals.
- Support for Shelter and Transitional Living Residents
- Offer culturally appropriate support to residents as they transition from crisis shelter into transitional housing, independent living, or other safe housing arrangements.
- Assist residents, when requested, in identifying cultural, community, family, and spiritual supports that may contribute to their safety, stability, and well-being.
- Help residents explore culturally meaningful ways to establish a sense of home, belonging, routine, and connection while living in shelter or transitional housing.
- Participate in resident support planning meetings when invited and when appropriate, respecting resident consent and confidentiality.
- Provide cultural guidance to staff supporting residents through major transitions, grief, parenting challenges, family separation, and other significant life events.
- Support culturally relevant programming for residents and children, where appropriate, while recognizing that children and caregivers may have different cultural needs and preferences.
- Never pressure a survivor to reconcile with an abusive partner, return to an unsafe community or family situation, or participate in any cultural practice against their wishes.
- Cultural Programming and Community Connections
- Assist in developing and delivering culturally relevant programming for residents and, where appropriate, their children.
- Recommend cultural resources, traditional materials, medicines, books, artwork, language resources, and other items that support the organization's cultural programming.
- Support connections with trusted Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous organizations, friendship centres, cultural centres, traditional healers, and community-based services, subject to resident consent and safety considerations.
- Advise the organization on culturally appropriate practices for gatherings, ceremonies, cultural spaces, and the use and care of traditional items.
- Help establish protocols for welcoming Elders and Knowledge Keepers, honouring cultural contributions, and providing appropriate compensation and recognition.
- Participate in community events, cultural gatherings, and organizational initiatives when mutually agreed upon and within the scope of the role.
5.Guidance and Support for Staff
- Offer cultural guidance, teachings, and consultation to shelter and transitional living staff to strengthen cultural humility, awareness, and responsiveness.
- Assist staff in understanding relevant cultural protocols, practices, and considerations when working with Indigenous survivors and families.
- Provide guidance on incorporating Indigenous values, teachings, and approaches into program development and service delivery.
- Support reflective learning on cultural safety, anti-Indigenous racism, colonial trauma, and the importance of Indigenous self-determination.
- Contribute to staff education and cultural learning opportunities as agreed upon.
- Respect professional roles and collaborate with staff without assuming responsibility for clinical supervision, human resources management, or frontline case management unless separately agreed upon.
6.Cultural Safety, Ethics, and Confidentiality
- Uphold residents' dignity, autonomy, privacy, confidentiality, and right to culturally safe services.
- Follow organizational policies, applicable privacy legislation, safeguarding requirements, and agreed-upon cultural and ceremonial protocols.
- Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid conflicts of interest, favouritism, exploitation, or dual relationships that could compromise resident safety or trust.
- Obtain informed consent before sharing resident information or involving external cultural or community supports, subject to applicable legal obligations.
- Follow organizational procedures for responding to immediate safety concerns, disclosures of abuse, and risks of harm.
- Understand that confidentiality may be subject to legal requirements and immediate safety obligations, and consult the designated program lead when concerns arise.
- Respect the confidentiality of traditional knowledge and cultural teachings that are not intended for public sharing or documentation.
- Support an environment free from discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, Nation, language, spiritual beliefs, or other protected grounds.
- Organizational and Program Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director, program leadership, shelter staff, transitional housing staff, and community partners.
- Participate in program meetings, cultural planning, and service reviews as mutually agreed upon.
- Provide feedback on cultural programming and identify opportunities to strengthen Indigenous-led, culturally grounded services.
- Contribute to program evaluation through culturally appropriate feedback and recommendations, while protecting resident confidentiality.
- Advise on the creation of culturally welcoming spaces, including designated areas for reflection, ceremony, and cultural activities where feasible.
- Support organizational efforts to deliver services that honour Indigenous knowledge, community protocols, cultural continuity, and the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.
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Level of Responsibility: Cultural Teachings, Ceremony, Mentorship (Medium-High)
Required Qualifications
Required or Preferred Qualifications
- Recognized within their Nation, community, or cultural community as an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or person entrusted with sharing traditional teachings and cultural knowledge appropriate to the role.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous teachings, traditions, cultural protocols, and community practices relevant to the population served.
- A strong understanding of the impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, gender-based violence, and systemic barriers experienced by Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit people, gender-diverse people, and their families.
- Experience supporting individuals, families, or communities through healing, grief, life transitions, cultural reconnection, or other forms of personal and collective well-being.
- Ability to create respectful, inclusive, non-judgmental, and culturally safe relationships with residents from diverse Indigenous backgrounds.
- Understanding of trauma-informed, survivor-centred, strengths-based, and culturally grounded approaches to support.
- Ability to respect confidentiality, personal boundaries, individual choice, and the self-determination of survivors.
- Willingness to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and community-based service providers.
Additional Assets
- Knowledge of Indigenous languages, traditional medicines, ceremonies, storytelling, land-based practices, or other cultural teachings relevant to the community.
- Experience working with Indigenous-led organizations, women's shelters, transitional housing programs, family violence services, or community healing initiatives.
- Familiarity with Indigenous approaches to restorative healing, community wellness, cultural continuity, and intergenerational connection.
- Experience supporting Two-Spirit and gender-diverse Indigenous people.
- Knowledge of local Indigenous service networks, housing resources, cultural supports, and community protocols.
- Relevant training in trauma-informed care, crisis response, cultural safety, or violence prevention, where appropriate.
Core Competencies
The successful candidate demonstrates:
- Cultural integrity and respect for Indigenous teachings and protocols.
- Compassion, patience, humility, and active listening.
- Respect for survivor autonomy, choice, and self-determination.
- Understanding of trauma, grief, healing, and the impacts of violence.
- Ability to work respectfully with people from diverse Nations, backgrounds, and identities.
- Sound judgment regarding confidentiality, boundaries, and safety.
- A collaborative approach to cultural programming and organizational learning.
- Commitment to Indigenous-led, culturally safe, and strengths-based services.
Working Conditions
- The position may involve working within a confidential shelter environment, transitional housing setting, community location, or designated cultural space.
- Up to 40 hour per week-Hours and scheduling will be established in consultation with the organization and may include scheduled cultural sessions, resident-requested support, staff consultations, and occasional community events.
- The organization recognizes the emotional demands associated with supporting survivors of violence and will work with the Elder and/or Knowledge Keeper to establish sustainable expectations, appropriate boundaries, and access to support when needed.
Commitment to Indigenous Self-Determination
- The organization recognizes Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers as valued holders and transmitters of cultural knowledge, teachings, and community responsibilities.
- The position will be carried out in a manner that respects Indigenous sovereignty, community-specific protocols, cultural diversity, and the inherent right of Indigenous peoples to determine their own approaches to healing and wellness.
- The organization is committed to creating a service environment in which traditional knowledge and Indigenous-led approaches complement practical supports for safety, housing stability, healing, and community connection.
Wage Range: $40.00 / hour
We welcome qualified Elders and Knowledge Keepers whose cultural knowledge, teachings, community relationships, and experience align with the organization's mandate. We recognize that Indigenous knowledge is diverse and Nation-specific, and we respect the distinct traditions, identities, and lived experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
The organization is committed to culturally safe services for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit people, gender-diverse individuals, and their children, while honouring each person's right to determine their own path toward safety, healing, and well-being.
