Land-Based Healer - Jobs in Vancouver, BC

Job Description

Main Office, 6735 Salish Drive, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Req #44Thursday, May 6, 2021About MusqueamWe are traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking people. Today, we are a strong, growing community of over 1,300 members. We live on a small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River. The name Musqueam relates back to the River Plant, the name of the plant is məθkʷəy̓. There is a story that has been passed on from generation to generation that explains how we became known as the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) - People of the River Plant. We have always moved throughout our territory using the resources it provides for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering. We remain distinct and our cultural practices are strong, despite the devastating impacts of residential schools, colonial laws banning our ceremonies, and other attempts to assimilate our people. Our lands and waters continue to support our cultural and economic practices while serving as a source of knowledge and memory, encoded with our teachings and laws. To learn more about Musqueam, please visit www.musqueam.bc.caReporting to the Musqueam Health Director, the Land-Based Healer coordinates, provides, and promotes traditional health practices, knowledge, and beliefs of Musqueam healing and wellness to community members struggling with substance use and mental health issues. Methods of treatment and healing focus on a return and reconnection to Musqueam land and cultural practices. These culturally-specific treatments acknowledge that over generations of colonization, Musqueam people have historically been disconnected and dispossessed from their traditional territories. The Land-Based Healer recognizes that struggles with substance use and mental health can be supported through efforts to relearn, revitalize, and reclaim community member’s connection to Musqueam traditional wellness practices (i.e. ceremonies, plant/animal/mineral-based medicines, energetic therapies, physical/hands on techniques, etc.). The MIB Land-Based Healer will act as a conduit to connect community members with various traditional healing solutions with skilled knowledge keepers within the community.Land-Based Healing - Common Guiding Principles:Focuses on culturally safe models of care and is viewed as an essential element of a quality health systemViews Musqueam language and culture as foundationalIs controlled locally, fosters collaborations with a variety of healthcare programs available both at Musqueam and in the Vancouver areaImproves the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities through connection to Musqueam cultural practices and social supportsHonours local strengths and resources, promotes self-determination and building expertise at homeTargets multiple determinants of health (ex. language acquisition, cultural values, life skills, human-nature relations, ethics, and social cohesion)Fosters connection to Musqueam traditional territories and land-based valuesIntegrates the First Nations Wellness ModelExamples of Land-Based Healing initiatives include but are not limited to:Culture and language campsTraditional food harvesting projects with education around nutrition and wellness while supporting community berry picking, fishing, hunting, trapping, etc.Cultural activities for people struggling with addiction, helping them to spend time on the land doing thesePrograms for Elder and youth knowledge transfer of traditional land uses such as the revitalization of ceremonial practices, rites-of-passage activities, reconnection to land/history/teachings, traditional medicine gathering, etc.Programs for teaching traditional birthing and parenting practicesPrograms for integrating local Musqueam healers into existing land-based activitiesPrograms for revitalizing local indigenous ceremonies and celebrations on the landHunting and fishing projects that support food securityCoordinating and providing online classes/workshops on topics such as storytelling, drumming lessons, prayer, etc.Qualifications:Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as nutrition, counselling, drug and alcohol, public health, etc.At least 2 years experience in the medical or health fieldOutstanding communication and organizational skills, ability to compassionately relate and provide relevant resources to community members on an individual and group basisUnderstanding and appreciation of Musqueam land and cultural practices as they pertain to physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social healingAssets: Musqueam language speaker, respected local memberOther detailsPay Type Hourly