Youth Engagement Worker and Women's Helper - Prince Albert, Canada - Sturgeon Lake Health Centre

Description

oskāyak (Youth) Engagement Worker and owīcihtāsow (Women's Helper)

iskwēw (Female Role)


Job Description:

The oskāyak (Youth) Engagement Worker is responsible for implementing various oskāyak programing directed by the Program Manager and in consultation with oskāyak at pakitahwākan sākahikan (Sturgeon Lake First Nation).

The Engagement Worker will work with oskāyak and young adults to provide quality programs to be developed to engage and empower the oskāyak at SLFN to have fun and be safe in a positive environment where all oskāyak and young adults feel belonging so they can learn the skills needed to live meaningful and productive lives as they learn to develop and share their gifts with others.

The main role of the owīcihtāsow (Women's Helper) is a resource to the Nation. Most often, the Women's Helper is a helper to iskwēw Elders in ceremony and teachings.

To be effective in the service to Nation and to iskwēw Elders in ceremony and teachings, the owīcihtāsow has special privileges that are beyond the call of normal duty.

The owīcihtāsow not only works for the spiritual purposes and Nations functions but also for the higher purpose of sustaining Cree iskwēw knowledge and the miyo-āyāwin (Well-being) of the people.

To fulfill these responsibilities, the owīcihtāsow pursues specialized teachings, training and overall knowledge that is often acquired through intense self-development, personal sacrifice and apprenticeship with iskwēw Elders and knowledge keepers, owīcihtāsowak are committed to work for and behalf of what is right and good for the people of the Nation.

The owīcihtāsowak knowledge must be used in the service of others and must never be used to do wrong to anyone.

The owīcihtāsow is chosen by the Nation through its iskwēw Knowledge Keepers, owīcihtāsow and iskwēw Spiritualists.

The oskāyak (Youth) Engagement Worker


Essential Functions:

• Work with local oskāyak in planning a program, and coordinating and promoting oskāyak, young adult, and family programming
• Specific needs that will be addressed using a strengthbased model include sense of belonging, unresolved grief, building strong healthy relationships within the family, personal health practices and coping skills, decision making, and problem solving
• Cultural teachings and ceremonies, language classes, and proper protocols
• Engage and empower oskāyak to learn leadership through opportunities to foster development of strong selfesteem.
• Work handson in the programs, activities, and special events as needed.
• Provide quality interaction to members, volunteers, and participants.
• Work "with" volunteers and staff and oversee daily operations of the project.

Responsibilities:

• To work under the guidance of the Elders Advisory Council and the Traditional Health Committee. Their work will be overseen by the Program Coordinator.
• To work in fulfilling the vision and direction of the Youth Centre and Traditional Health Program
• The oskāpēwis models very strict rules of cultural conduct, following the teachings of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• The oskāpēwis must always be under the guidance of an Elder or Elders who oversee progress
• The oskāpēwis, as apprentices, must not try to perform the role of Elders without the Elder's consent
• To prepare Youth Centre and Health Centre ceremonial functions under the guidance of an Elder or Knowledge Keeper
• To be of physical service to the Elders Advisory Council in meetings and functions of ceremony
• To ensure the maintenance of ceremonial and cultural supplies for Youth Centre and Health Centre use
• To work for Nation good as directed by Elders Advisory Council and Traditional Health CommitteeThe owīcihtāsow

Essential Functions:

• The Youth Centre will have a owīcihtāsow that promotes and maintains cultural observances such as Female youth rites of passage, Women's Teachings, Women's Pipe Ceremonies and other spiritual practice of Female Youth and Women for the Youth Centre and the Health Centre.
• The Women's Helper works towards the vision of the Youth Centre and the Traditional Health program under the guidance of the Elder Advisory Council and the Traditional Health Committee
• To support the Youth Centre staff in creating Cree cultural competency in the workplace

Responsibilities:

• To work under the guidance of the Elders Advisory Council and the Traditional Health Committee. The Women's Helper's work will be overseen by the Program Coordinator.
• To work in fulfilling the vision and direction of the Youth Centre in conjunction with the Traditional Health Program
• The Women's Helper models very strict rules of cultural conduct, following the teachings of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers
• The Women's Helper must always be under the guidance of a Lady Elder or Lady Elders who oversee progress
• The Women's Helper, as apprentice, must not try to perform the role of Lady Elders w