Traditional Healing Liaison

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM | Expires Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 4:59 AM

Status : Full-time, 1-year contract

Hours : 35 hours/week

Salary : $56,699 to $70,874 per year

Paid Time Off : 3 weeks’ vacation, 12 health days, 3 personal days, 5 spiritual/cultural development and your, birthday!

Benefits : Comprehensive health and dental

Pension : HOOPP (defined benefit plan)

Posting Date: February 4, 2026

Deadline : February 18, 2026

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing and promoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live in a more balanced state of well-being. SOAHAC provides services to Indigenous people including those who live on and off reserve, status, non- status, Inuit, and Metis within the Southwest, Waterloo Wellington, and Erie St Clair regions. SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. It is SOAHAC’s objective to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities. Currently, we are seeking the services of a Traditional Healing Liaisonto join our interdisciplinary staff team to work at our Owen Sound Site.

Under the supervision of the Integrated Care Manager and guided by Indigenous Healers, Practitioners, and Knowledge Carriers, the Traditional Healing Liaison is the key liaison between the regional Traditional Healer Program management and visiting healers with SOAHAC clients/patients, including the following: community service organizations, community groups including youth in accessing traditional healer’s services. The Traditional Healing Liaison ensures that duties are performed reflecting the culture-based model of the organization, all traditional teachings, methods, and healing approaches.

Requirements

• Diploma or college certificate preferred in Social Work, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health, Nursing or other relevant programs of study; or,
• Secondary School Diploma with at least five years continual ceremonial apprenticeship under a vetted Traditional Healer or Knowledge Carrier.
• Experience working with Indigenous Traditional Healers, Elders, and Knowledge Carriers within communities and adept within cultural and spiritual practice.
• familiar with community healthcare environments;
• Experience working with local Indigenous communities and Indigenous people in Southwestern Ontario;
• Participate in staff meetings, training workshops, seminars and teaching circles as required;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work effectively and independently;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to speak at public events, conferences and meetings.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across SOAHAC and communities;
• Experience working with an electronic medical records (EMR) system is a strong asset.
• Travel within Waterloo-Wellington and area, as well as SOAHAC sites as required;
• Valid Ontario Driver’s “G” license; clean driver’s abstract, as well as proof of personal auto insurance (must be insured a minimum of 3 years and in good standing)
• Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies;
• Clean and current police check as a condition of employment
• Up to date immunizations and records is a condition of employment

Responsibilities

• Provide helper assistance as required to the Traditional Healers, Elders and Medicine People;
• Assist in developing and coordinating the schedules for the Traditional Healers and Traditional Practitioners as required;
• Schedule appointments for resident and visiting Healers at their assigned sites and provide intake appointments with clients as required;
• Coordinate cultural and traditional training/knowledge exchange opportunities for Aboriginal youth, community members, community groups and staff of SOAHAC and community service organizations through the Traditional Healers Program;
• Develop and compile protocols and procedures on ceremonies, fasts, sweats, celebrations and feasts while respecting the protocols of each Traditional Healer’s view on written documentation of these cultural activities;
• Develop, implement and supervise an assistant/mentee/apprentice training program for Aboriginal community members that will offer opportunities to learn and experience sweats, fasts, ceremonies, traditional teachings and fire keeping;
• Participate in the Traditional Healing Program monthly, quarterly and yearly budget review processes;
• Supervise, coordinate, train, appraise and orient helpers, volunteers and placements;
• Read, review and understand the organization’s personnel policies and procedures;
• Develop a volunteer base for the Traditional Healing Program who will perform such duties as fire keeping, medicine gathering, sweat lodge helpers, shaking tent helpers and ceremonial assistants.

This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer; however, hiring preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants (please self-identify). SOAHAC is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please advise Human Resources.

We thank all those for applying but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.