Learning Facilitator

About Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre

Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre provides residential treatment and healing services for First Nations youth and young adults who are at risk of, or experiencing, substance use concerns.

Our approach to healing is grounded in culture, identity, language, spirit, family, community, and connection to the land. Young people live on-site while participating in structured treatment cohorts that integrate counselling, education, cultural teachings, Elder involvement, creative expression, land-based learning, and everyday living skills.

At Nimkee, learning extends far beyond the classroom. We believe that education can be a powerful part of healing, identity development, confidence building, and reconnection.

The Opportunity

Nimkee is seeking a qualified and innovative Learning Facilitator to provide educational programming to youth and young adults living in residence.

This is not a traditional classroom teaching position.

The Learning Facilitator will teach across a broad range of subjects and learning experiences while ensuring that education is grounded in culture, identity, healing, relationships, and real-life application.

The successful candidate will understand that meaningful learning may happen at a desk, in the kitchen, in the bush, through art, around a fire, through ceremony, during a community activity, or through conversations about everyday life.

The Learning Facilitator will work collaboratively with Educational Assistants, Cultural Staff, Elders, Counsellors, residential staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to create learning opportunities that meet young people where they are academically, emotionally, culturally, and developmentally.

Key Responsibilities

The Learning Facilitator will:

• Plan and deliver individualized and group educational programming aligned with the Ontario curriculum, while adapting learning to the strengths, needs, interests, and circumstances of each young person.
• Teach a broad range of subject areas and support students who may be working at different grade levels and academic abilities.
• Integrate First Nations culture, identity, language, values, land-based learning, and traditional knowledge throughout educational programming and everyday activities.
• Create learning experiences that connect academic outcomes to practical life skills, cultural knowledge, healing, wellness, and community.
• Work collaboratively with Educational Assistants and Cultural Staff to support youth throughout their learning and residential experience.
• Develop creative, experiential, arts-based, and land-based approaches to learning.
• Support young people who may have experienced disruptions in schooling, trauma, substance use, mental health challenges, learning difficulties, or other barriers to educational success.
• Build positive, respectful, and trusting relationships with youth using a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.
• Assist youth in developing confidence, self-awareness, responsibility, problem-solving skills, and a positive connection to learning.
• Develop individualized educational goals and learning plans where appropriate.
• Assess learning needs and progress and maintain accurate educational records.
• Complete required documentation, charting, case notes, reports, educational plans, and administrative records in a timely and professional manner.
• Participate in case conferences, interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment planning, program planning, and staff meetings.
• Communicate effectively with families, schools, community partners, and other professionals as appropriate.
• Support transitions back to school, community-based education, employment, training, or post-secondary opportunities.
• Participate in outdoor, recreational, cultural, and land-based activities with youth.
• Model healthy relationships, professionalism, cultural respect, accountability, and positive everyday living.
• Contribute to a safe, welcoming, culturally grounded, and healing-centred environment.
• Participate in organizational training, professional development, cultural learning, and other duties as required.

Cultural Integration

Cultural infusion is a fundamental expectation of this position.

The Learning Facilitator will work closely with Nimkee's Cultural Team, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other staff to ensure that learning reflects and supports First Nations identity, worldview, values, language, traditions, and relationships with the land.

Culture should not be treated as a separate activity or occasional component of programming. The successful candidate will understand how culture can be respectfully woven into academics, daily living, relationships, wellness, creativity, decision-making, and personal development.

A strong understanding of, respect for, and willingness to continually learn about First Nations cultures, histories, contemporary realities, and approaches to healing is essential.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have:

• A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from a recognized institution.
• Knowledge of and experience working with the Ontario curriculum.
• Demonstrated ability to teach or facilitate learning across multiple subject areas and grade levels.
• Strong understanding of culturally responsive and inclusive education.
• Demonstrated cultural competency when working with First Nations youth, families, and communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong written communication and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated ability to complete professional documentation, charting, reports, educational records, and case-related documentation.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to adapt teaching approaches for students with diverse academic, emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs.
• A valid driver's licence and ability to participate in community and land-based programming, where required.
• Ability to meet the physical demands associated with outdoor, recreational, and land-based activities.
• Other training to be completed on-site and a Broad Record Check upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications and Assets

The following would be considered strong assets:

• Experience working with First Nations youth and communities.
• Experience in residential treatment, addictions services, mental health, child and youth services, alternative education, or special education.
• Experience supporting youth who have experienced trauma or significant disruptions in education.
• Training or experience in trauma-informed education.
• Qualifications or experience in special education.
• Experience with Indigenous land-based education.
• Experience or specialization in visual arts, music, drama, creative arts, traditional arts, outdoor education, physical education, technology, trades, or experiential learning.
• Knowledge of an Indigenous language.
• Experience working collaboratively with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Cultural Staff, and community members.

Specializations and creative strengths are welcomed. We are particularly interested in candidates who can bring additional skills in arts, land-based learning, culture, experiential education, or other areas that can engage and inspire young people.

Schedule

This position works a rotating schedule of three 10-hour on-site shifts per week.

An example rotation may include:

Week One: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Week Two: Thursday, Friday, Saturday

The schedule provides continuity with youth while also supporting the unique needs of a residential treatment environment.

Some flexibility may be required based on programming, cultural activities, special events, and organizational needs.

Compensation and Benefits

Nimkee offers:

• Annual salary of $64,000
• Three 10-hour shifts per week
• OMERS pension plan
• Comprehensive health and benefit coverage
• Vacation and other applicable paid leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunities for cultural learning and participation
• Relocation expenses may be considered for the successful candidate
• The opportunity to work as part of a committed interdisciplinary team supporting First Nations youth and young adults

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who sees education differently.

You may be the right fit if you believe that a math lesson can happen while building something, science can happen on the land, literacy can emerge through storytelling, art can support healing, and cultural identity can strengthen a young person's confidence and sense of belonging.

We are seeking an educator who is creative, flexible, organized, compassionate, culturally grounded, and willing to engage fully in the life of the Centre.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working outside of a conventional classroom structure and able to respond to young people whose educational journeys may not have followed a traditional path.

Above all, we are looking for someone who believes in the strengths and potential of young people and wants to be part of an amazing team committed to helping them reconnect with self, spirit, family, culture, community, and hope for their future.

Employment Equity

Nimkee Nupigawagan Healing Centre is committed to providing culturally relevant services to First Nations youth, families, and communities.

First Nations candidates will be given preference, consistent with Nimkee's mandate and applicable employment and human rights requirements.

Applicants are encouraged to identify relevant cultural knowledge, community connections, language skills, lived experience, and other strengths they would bring to the position.

Application

Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications, teaching experience, cultural competencies, and interest in working within a First Nations residential healing environment.

Come be part of a team where education, culture, healing, and hope come together to support young people in building their future.