Indigenous Cultural Support Worker

Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is a unique Indigenous Institute, recognized by community, government, and institutions of higher learning, as a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Knowledge. SNP offers postsecondary, secondary, trades education and training. SNP has formal partnerships with nine publicly funded Ontario Universities and Colleges and collaborates with six Ontario-based Indigenous owned and controlled post-secondary Institutes.

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JOB PURPOSE

Reporting to the Director, Student Affairs, the Indigenous Cultural Support Worker will serve all post-secondary and trades students at Six Nations Polytechnic. The objective of this role is to assist and improve the mental health, well-being, and achievement of students by providing holistic cultural supports and educational resources. This position will also work in collaboration with the Student Affairs team in the development and implementation of diverse Mental Health strategies across the organization. The Cultural Support Worker will support guided group discussions, workshops, individual support, and assist the Student Affairs team with events. This role will also function as a liaison to other community supports and resources.

The Indigenous Cultural Support Worker is required to perform all duties consistent with the governance values and operating policies of Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) while fostering positive relations with staff, students, stakeholders, and the community; contributing to a culturally supportive teaching, learning and work environment consistent with Hodinǫshǫ:nih/ Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Technical Functions 50%

• Ensuring cultural support services are delivered with excellence and informed by Hodinǫshǫ:nih/ Rotinonhson:ni values of Ga’nigohi:yo:/Kanikoriio (Respect and the Good Mind);


• Providing holistic cultural supports to post-secondary and trades students such as wellness workshops, cultural teachings, etc.;


• Creating cultural awareness opportunities for all students;


• Working collaboratively with community members, Knowledge Guardians, and Elders to create and deliver knowledge workshops;


• Responding to the need and demand for culturally specific student wellness programs and activities;


• Planning, organizing, and coordinating cultural workshops, programming and activities, teachings and practices for students as required;


• Assisting in the delivery of Student Affairs events and activities;


• Utilizing rich language resources in the development, planning and implementation of mental health and student wellbeing activities;


• Mobilizing cultural knowledge to SNP students;


• Other related duties, as required.

Supports & Referrals 25%

• Engaging in problem solving to work through ethical dilemmas;


• Coordinating and/or facilitating conflict resolution sessions;


• Consulting with others regarding how to manage difficult or disruptive behaviours;


• Referring students to the appropriate in-house service (i.e. Student Support Officer, Accessibility Navigator, Mental Health Counsellor, etc.);


• Making referrals to academic supports, community supports, & counselling services;


• Nurturing, supporting, and encouraging clients to develop self-care while finding a balance between multiple demands;


• Other related duties, as required.

General Administration 25%

• Working collaboratively with the Mental Wellness Committee to ensure a consistently unified and culturally safe organizational development and design;


• Reviewing, assessing, and recommending changes to enhance the effectiveness of service delivery models;


• Maintaining and safeguarding the confidentiality of client records; and


• Assisting in the development of student surveys.


• Other related duties, as required.

EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Completion of a formal post-secondary college or university program of three to four academic years in Education, Social Services, Environmental Science or Indigenous Studies.

EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE / CULTURE AND LANGUAGE EXPERTISE

• Over 1 to 3 years of experience in a similar role of a team-oriented environment;


• Experience working with individuals requiring additional supports from a diverse ethno-cultural background;


• Experience in trauma informed care, Indigenous healing/helping methods and their practical application and established connections and networks with local indigenous communities will be considered an asset;


• Prior experience working for an Indigenous organization is preferred.

Criminal Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to provide an original Criminal Background Check – Vulnerable Sector Screening that is satisfactory to Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) prior to the first day of work at Six Nations Polytechnic, and an Offence Declaration that is satisfactory to SNP by their first day of employment at Six Nations Polytechnic. 

At Six Nations Polytechnic, we are committed to diversity and inclusion as we continue and expand our efforts to become a more inclusive, safe and respectful workplace. Human Resources will accommodate any needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Recruitment processes will be modified to remove barriers to accommodate those with disabilities, as may be requested.

Applicants from Six Nations and other Indigenous communities will be given preference to deliver programs and services in a First Nations community. 

Full Job description is available upon request.

POSITION TYPE: Existing Vacancy

POSITION CLOSING DATE : August 5th, 2026

JOB TYPE: Full-time Permanent

SCHEDULE: 37.5 hrs Monday-Friday; 8:30am-4:00pm

WORK MODEL: Hybrid 

PAY BAND: 5; Core range $56,412.51–$66,096.25. The target hiring salary for this position is minimum (Step 1) up to 45% of the pay band. Considerations for new hire step placements include experiential knowledge and/or language and cultural expertise.

BENEFITS:

• Company registered pension plan


• Dental care


• Extended health care


• Life insurance


• Paid sick and personal time