Culturally Aligned Integrated Support Program (CAIS) Elder

Are you someone with a strong connection to community and a passion for working with a growing non-profit organization that supports First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples experiencing homelessness? The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEH) is seeking a CAIS Elder, to provide culturally grounded support to Indigenous Family Members, fostering healing, housing stability, and community connection.

Who we are: We are a non-profit, registered charity and culturally supportive housing provider dedicated to supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our work is Indigenous led and governed, and centers around the voices of our Indigenous Street Community whom we refer to as our Family Members. Through building partnerships locally and across the Island, we identify and address systemic and structural barriers, share information, resources, and lessons learned, and provide Indigenized harm reduction, cultural support services, and housing.

Our Vision: Our way is to care for all our people, from the youngest to the oldest. We are all one. Some of our people living away from home are suffering, isolated and homeless. We stand together to end homelessness.

Application Submission: You are required to submit a resume and cover letter that highlights  First Nations, Inuit, and Metis ancestry, community/organization involvements, education, certification, demonstrated contract experience, and how your knowledge, skills, and abilities will support and contribute to the ACEH and our community through a cultural lens.[AA1] 

Applications missing this will be automatically screened out of the selection process.

Preference will be given to qualified candidates with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis ancestry. The ACEH values strength in diversity. As an inclusive employer that celebrates the gifts of all its employees, we encourage members of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community to apply.

Applications will be received until positions are filled. Only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and interviewed.

Job Details:

Position Type: Full-time or Part Time

Locations: ACEH Office, 1803 Douglas St, Victoria, BC 

Hours of Work: Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Start Date: As soon as possible, contingent on receiving a Clearance Letter through the Criminal Record Check Review Program.

Travel Required: Yes, occasional.

Compensation and Benefits:

·         $42.00/hour

·         Employer-matched RRSP (up to 5%)

·         3 weeks (15 days) paid vacation annually (6% accrual, pro-rated for part-time)

·         5 paid sick days per year

·         Additional sick leave accrued at 1 day per month

·         3 unpaid personal days per year

Union Dues: This position is part of the bargaining unit and is governed by the Collective Agreement (CA) between ACEH and the BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU). For work performed at unionized locations, a deduction of 1.85% for union dues will be applied to your pay for each pay period, in accordance with the Collective Agreement, and remitted to the Union.

Job Summary:

The CAIS Elder, reporting to the CAIS Manager, plays a vital role in providing culturally grounded, holistic support to Indigenous Family Members accessing services through the ACEH Office. This role is grounded in respect for the knowledge, teachings, and autonomy of the Elder.

This position offers one-on-one emotional, spiritual, and cultural guidance, supporting individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness as they transition into and maintain stable housing. The Elder integrates traditional knowledge and practices—such as ceremony, land-based healing, and cultural teachings—into daily support, while fostering life skills development, personal goal setting, and connections to community resources.

Working collaboratively with the CAIS team and broader community, the Elder leads cultural programming, workshops, and training initiatives, while also contributing to case management and program development. Through mentorship, advocacy, and the transmission of Indigenous knowledge, the CAIS Elder helps create culturally safe, respectful environments that promote healing, resilience, and community connection for individuals navigating complex life circumstances.

Key Responsibilities

·        Provide one-on-one emotional and cultural support to Family Members accessing the ACEH Office.

·        Alongside the team, provide move-in support to Family Members transitioning into private and subsidized housing. This may include requested cultural preparations including smudging of rooms, brushing off, prayers.

·        Support Family Members who are at risk of homelessness by working together regularly to develop life skills and meet personal goals. This may include connecting individuals to other resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous, and supporting the creation of personalized cultural support plans, including land-based healing.

·        Provide support to Family Members living independently to maintain tenancy. This may include connecting them to community resources and working together on a regular basis to develop life skills and meet personal goals.

·        Share and pass on cultural knowledge and teachings to Family Members and staff, supporting understanding and cultural connection within the team.

·        Teach Family Members and staff about local protocols and practicing Indigenous rights (I.e., wood harvesting, carrying out ceremony, food preparations).

·        Organize and lead cultural workshops such as: food preparation and preservation workshops, cultural activities, cedar bark weaving, beading, drumming, singing, etc. accessing your cultural knowledge and the strengths of the Family Members you are working with.

·        Collaborate with the CAIS Manager to draw on additional community Elders, Cultural Workers, and facilitators for additional cultural support and programming.

·        Support in-service Cultural Training days.

·        Attend weekly CAIS case management meetings.

·        Provide support for the CAIS program. This may include supporting intake meetings with Family Members; preparing gifts to include in welcome home kits; leading cultural activities, organizing monthly cooking workshops, holding healing circles, and teaching traditional crafts.

·        Maintain accurate records of support provided using program tracking tools, in alignment with program and reporting requirements.

·        During CAIS program development sessions, provide input into the model’s 7 areas of support: housing; personal care and living; Indigenous cultural; social, emotional, and community; restorative justice; food security, and wellness / healing from substance use.

·        Where possible, attend land-based healing events to provide support for ongoing activities, meals, and ceremonies.

·        Attend and support monthly Building Community events led by the Outreach team.

Qualifications and Educational Experiences:

·        Demonstrated recognition as an Elder within their Nation or community, with deep cultural knowledge, teachings, and understanding of protocol

·        Experience providing guidance, mentorship, and/or spiritual support to individuals or groups.

·        Openness to participating in ceremonies, circles, or daily activities with Family Members who are using substances and/or experiencing homelessness

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·        Ability to communicate effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing, in a cross-cultural environment.

·        Interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

·        Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

·        Self-starter with demonstrated organizational skills.

·        Ability to work frequently under pressure, while managing multiple projects and deadlines.

·        Ability to work in a holistic, professional, and non-judgmental manner as you are working with a broad range of personalities, needs, cultures, lived experiences and abilities.

·        Demonstrated teamwork, leadership, and supervisory skills.

·        Effective written, electronic, and verbal communication skills to facilitate interprofessional collaborative practice, healthy and culturally safe environments, and a respectful workplace for community members, staff, guests, and volunteers.

·        Understanding of the intergenerational trauma that occurs because of colonization, Residential Schools, Sixties Scoop, and other oppressive systems as well as the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada.