Indigenous Healing Circle (IHC) Coordinator

Company: Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women Incorporated c/o Hamilton Native Women’s Centre

Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women Incorporated
c/o Hamilton Native Women’s Centre

Job Title: Indigenous Healing Circle (IHC) Coordinator
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: Outreach Services

Reporting to: Director of Programs and Services

Primary Purpose of Role: Outreach Services / Child Welfare / Justice

The Indigenous Healing Circle (IHC) Process is Ontario’s first family court initiative dedicated to 
using Indigenous Healing Circles to create meaningful, culturally grounded processes that 
support Indigenous children and families. The program aims to address the overrepresentation 
of Indigenous children and families in the child protection system by incorporating Indigenous 
traditions, values, and approaches to healing into the court process.

The IHC Coordinator is responsible for coordinating cultural supports and facilitating the IHC
process within the Superior Court of Justice – Family Court division that promotes the safety, 
well-being, and cultural identity of Indigenous children, youth, and families involved in the child 
welfare and family court systems. The IHC Coordinator empowers families to make informed 
decisions in collaboration with support networks, service providers, and community 
representatives. The IHC Coordinator promotes the ways of the Indigenous Healing Circle 
process which includes culture, confidentiality, safety, building on family strengths, family 
preservation/reunification, and family and community collaborative decision-making through 
consultations. 

This position is held by an Indigenous community member with demonstrated knowledge of 
local Indigenous communities and services, Indigenous healing traditions and cultural practices, 
as well as a strong understanding of the family court system, child welfare legislation, and the 
unique needs of Indigenous children and families. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate and facilitate the Indigenous Healing Circle process for Indigenous families
involved in family court and a child welfare agency; this includes but is not limited to:
o Accepting referrals from the Superior Court of Justice
o Educating and preparing participants on the IHC process, ground rules, and safety 
as well as expected outcomes
o Identify a Knowledge Sharer, subject to time and availability, and pair them with 
the family
o Assist families in creating a family wellness plan that considers the impacts of 
colonization, systemic racism, and the effects of intergenerational trauma on 
Indigenous communities and families, and which focuses on the strength and 
challenges of the family
o Facilitate Circles in conjunction with the Elder/Knowledge Sharer, if applicable
o Provide support, guidance, and safety during the Circle process to ensure the 
best possible outcomes for the children, youth, and families involved
o Provide updates to the IHC on family’s progress and connect the family to 
community supports between Circles when needed
o Comply with traditional protocols and best practices related to the Circle process
• Using a child-centred approach, wrap services and supports around the child, youth, 
families and other caregivers to ensure the best possible outcome for the child(ren)
• Liaise with family court professionals, children’s aid societies, Indigenous service 
organizations, legal representatives, and other providers to promote collaborative 
planning
• Support families in understanding the court process, child welfare legislation, and 
available community resources
• Provide on-going education and training about Circles to staff, caregivers, community 
service providers, judiciary, and other members as needed
• Prepare and maintain regular reports, analyses and statistics as required
• Participate in the on-going development and implementation of policies, procedures, 
and best practices related to Indigenous Healing Circles
• Perform other duties relevant to the position as assigned by the supervisor and/or 
designate

Level of Responsibility: Outreach Services (High)

Required Qualifications
1. Education
• Post-secondary education in Social Services, Social Work, Indigenous Studies, or 
an undergraduate degree in a related social/health science field or an equivalent 
combination of education and experience
• An equivalent combination of education, training and lived experience that 
provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will also be considered 

2. Work Experience
• Minimum of three (3) years working with Indigenous children, youth, families 
and communities in children welfare, family services, justice, health, or any 
related field
• Experience & knowledge with group planning and facilitation is considered an 
asset 
• Experience in program development, community engagement, and evaluation is 
considered an asset. 
• Demonstrated experience supporting Indigenous families involved with the child 
welfare and/or family court systems
• Experience coordinating wrap around services and developing wellness plans 
that reflect the strengths, needs, and goals of children and families

3. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Thorough knowledge and experience with group facilitation and planning
• Knowledge of ceremony, sacred items protocols, Indigenous approaches to 
healing, restorative practices, family wellness, and community-led decisionmaking
• Strong working knowledge of community services within the Hamilton, Six 
Nations of the Grand River, Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation, and 
surrounding area to assist in service provision
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally safe 
practices
• Engage as a healthy member of the community with a strong, demonstrated 
ability to work respectfully with stakeholders, children, youth, birth family 
members, caregivers, staff, community, legal staff, and others involved in the IHC 
process
• Experience building partnerships and fostering collaborative relationships with 
Indigenous communities, service providers, and government agencies
• Working knowledge of Ontario’s Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 
(CYFSA), Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Children, Youth and 
Families, 2019 (formerly Bill C-92), Family Law Act, R.S.O. 1990, TRC Calls to 
Action, National Inquiry into MMIWG – Calls for Justice, Human Rights Code, 
Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Personal Information 
Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage 
competing priorities, and respond effectively in complex and emotionally 
sensitive situations
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage logistical details of Circles 
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to form effective working 
relationships with cultural resources, families, staff, and community
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to share information in a clear, 
concise, and accurate manner
• Highly developed problem solving, conflict resolution, and the ability to maintain 
an impartial, balance perspective
• Strong time management skills and ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to develop and present training material in both small and large group 
formats

Working Conditions: 
• Monday to Friday, 35 hour per week
• Physical Environment & Stress Factors-High

Hiring Requirements: 
• Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector
• First Aid / CPR / AED Certification
• Aboriginal Alternative Dispute Resolution training
• Competency Training – Cultural Safety
• Mental Health First Aid – First Nations 
• Grief & Loss training 
• Superior Court of Justice trainings / protocols 

Wage: $85,000 (plus benefits)
All interested Indigenous applicant to apply to: hr@nativewomenscentre.co