Ha'miksila'as sa Anise (Aunties kitchen) Harm Reduction Staff

JOB SUMMARY:

The Kwakiutl Health Centre is looking for a Food Truck Harm Reduction staff member who will work alongside the Ha'miksila'as sa coordinator to connect people with lived/living experience with substance use to each other and to the larger Kwakiutl and North Island First Nations communities and supports. The Ha'miksila'as sa Anise Harm Reduction staff member will work within a trauma-informed, Indigenous harm reduction and client-centered framework. Personal experience with substance misuse, harm reduction and recovery is a plus.

ABOUT HA'MIKSILA'AS SA ANISE (AUNTIES KITCHEN): 

This is an FNHA land-based grant which seeks to reduce stigma, increase a sense of community and reduce isolation for Kwakiutl and other persons with living experience of substance abuse. We believe that food is medicine; the food truck functions as a community kitchen and safe gathering place that provides free food to those in need. The truck will operate in Tsakis 1 day per week, 1 day in Tsulquate, 1 day in Quatsino and 1 day downtown Gwa'dzi (Port Hardy), leaving 1 weekday in Tsakis for cleaning, stocking and maintenance. The following land-based healing principles are a crucial portion of this grant:

*A culturally safe model of care is essential to the Food Truck's operations staff; will provide referrals to traditional healing modalities as well as standard treatment referrals upon request and traditional teas and salves to be offered in addition to standard western harm reduction items such as Naloxone.

*Anitsa's Ha'mi'ksi'las (Aunties Kitchen) is locally controlled and fosters collaboration; we will meet persons where they are in terms of substance use and will encourage other members including Elders and youth to interact over food.

*Community is encouraged to contribute portins of garden, fishing and hunting harvests; the staff member will work closely with the Hamiksila'as sa Anise Coordinator, Food Connections Coordinator and local harvesters. 

WHAT IS INDIGENOUS HARM REDUCTION? 

Some Indigenous harm reduction principles included in this program are the following:

*Viewing addiction as a health and social issue, not a moral or criminal issue that can result in complex personal health and social consequence, involvement with the law and permature death.

*Strategies and services are trauma-informed.

*Supporting individauls and communities wherever they are at in their wellness journey.

*Recognizing that stigma and shame are factors that need to be taken into consideration and addressed. 

*Outreach services for people who do not access site-based services: food, safer smoking/injecting kits, condoms, etc.

*Services are human-centered, inclusive, caring and trauma-informed.

*Strategies and services are based on a foundation of cultural safety and humility.

*Acknowledge family relationships, community, Nation, and land.

*Incorporating Indigenous beliefs, values, and practices: medicinal plants, ceremony, Elder consultation etc. 

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

*Understand and use principals of Indigenous harm reduction.

*Create a safe and neutral gathering place for all.

*Provide harm reduction information.

*Be able to work independently and take direction when needed.

*Ability to support prioritization and organization of food truck presence in four North Island communities.

*Assist coordinator with cultural connections, land-based activities, incorporating traditional food and medicines whenever possible. 

*Help maintain day to day kitchen operations of the truck.

*Make appropriate referrals to as needed and requested.

*Ability to connect and respectfully communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.

*Knowledge of Kwakiult cultural and language is a plus.

*Should have and maintain a valid BC drivers license and Food Safe certification (will assist with Food Safe training).

*Ability to drive a truck and food trailer (will train if needed) 

*Post secondary education in Social Work, Mental Health, and/or a combination of education and relevant experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

*Standing, sitting, bending, lifting, carrying, squatting, kneeling, stretching.

*Working outside on the land and water in various weather conditions may be required.

*Some irregular work hours may be required (i.e, for community gardening days on weekend).

OTHER JOB INFORMATION: 

*This is community-based work. Must be willing to meet and work with people with lived/living experience of substance use and connect with local social service providers and partners including referrals for those choosing abstinence.

*Start date: As soon as possible; renewal dependent on additional grant funding.

*Reduced hours may occur during winter.

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please submit your resume along with a cover letter, clearly stating why you would like this job.

You may also give an oral resume in person or by video if you cannot complete a written resume. Please send resume to Caitlin Hartnett at . You can also drop off your resume in person at the Kwakiutl Health Centre.