Position Summary
Reporting to the Mental Wellness Team Lead, the Land-Based Healer coordinates, provides, and promotes traditional health practices, knowledge, and beliefs of Musqueam healing and wellness to community members struggling with wellness challenges. Methods of treatment and healing focused on a return and reconnection to Musqueam land and cultural practices. The Land-Based Healer recognizes that struggles with substance use, and mental health can be supported through efforts to relearn, revitalize, and reclaim community member’s connection to Musqueam wellness practices. The Land-Based Healer will connect community members with various traditional healing solutions with skilled knowledge keepers within the community. This is a full-time, one-year term position.
Roles & Responsibilities
Land-Based Healing - Common Guiding Principles
Focuses on culturally safe models of care and is viewed as an essential element of a quality health system
Views Musqueam language and culture as foundational
Fosters collaborations with a variety of healthcare programs available both in Musqueam and in the Greater Vancouver area
Improves the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities through connection to Musqueam cultural practices and social supports
Honors local strengths and resources, promotes self-determination and building expertise at home
Targets multiple determinants of health (ex. language acquisition, cultural values, life skills, human-nature relations, ethics, and social cohesion)
Fosters connection to Musqueam traditional territories and land-based values
Examples of Land Based Healing Initiatives include but are not limited to:
Culture and language camps
Traditional food harvesting projects with education around nutrition and wellness while supporting community berry picking, fishing, hunting, trapping, etc.
Cultural activities for people struggling with wellness, helping them to spend time on the land
Programs for Elder and youth knowledge transfer of traditional land uses such as the revitalization of ceremonial practices, rites-of-passage activities, reconnection to land/history/teachings, traditional medicine gathering, etc.
Programs for teaching traditional birthing and parenting practices
Programs for integrating local Musqueam healers into existing land-based activities
Programs for revitalizing local indigenous ceremonies and celebrations on the land
Hunting and fishing projects that support food security
Coordinating and providing online classes and workshops on topics such as storytelling, drumming lessons, prayer, etc.
Other related tasks as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as nutrition, counselling, drug and alcohol, public health, etc. Or an equivalent combination of experience and education
Lived experience in cultural day-to-day activities and Musqueam ways of being
At least 2 years' experience in the medical or health field is an asset
Outstanding communication and organizational skills, ability to compassionately relate and provide relevant resources to community members
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality regarding patient medical information and records
Ability to build respectful, trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds while maintaining a non-judgmental, inclusive, and person-centered approach
Skill in the use of workplace technology, i.e. computers, communications equipment, business software
Strong communication skills (spoken and written) and the ability to communicate tactfully with others
Ability to professionally meet, deal with the public and provide information in a pleasant, helpful and confidential manner
Ability to problem-solve and take initiative to resolve problems
Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize workload
Ability to remain calm during periods of stressful high volume and to meet deadlines as required
Valid driver’s license and…