Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children, Youth and Families is a multi service non-profit organization serving Inuit children, youth, and their families. We are dedicated to providing cultural, educational, and support services in a caring, respectful, and collaborative environment that fosters strong and proud Inuit children and families.
Position # 2025- 176
Position Title Nunavut Youth Cultural Worker
Posting Date October 28, 2025
Start Date ASAP
Hours 37.5 hours – Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours required
Position Status Full-time determinant, Contract ends: January 31, 2026,
with possibility of extension
Salary Range Inuuqatigiit Centre offers a competitive wage and benefit
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Manager of Family Well-Being, the Nunavut Youth Cultural Worker supports the well-being of Nunavummiut Youth living in Ottawa, in collaboration with government of Nunavut employees and contracted caregivers. The Nunavut Youth Cultural Worker will develop meaningful relationships with Inuit children and youth in group care or medical foster care to help maintain their understanding of Inuit knowledge and IQ Principles, hear and/or speak Inuktitut, and engage in cultural activities so that they remain connected to their identity as proud Inuit. The Nunavut Youth Cultural Worker will help Inuit children and youth in care identify goals and help them achieve their potential.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop meaningful relationships with Inuit youth through consistent, well-planned and responsive engagement
- Provide one-to-one support and regular group programming to engage children and youth in their culture and community.
- Provide emotional support to children and youth, as well as crisis intervention and conflict resolution as needed
- Contribute to Safety Plans for children and youth, in collaboration with government employees and caregivers
- Develop and deliver programming to children and youth about Inuit history, societal values, traditional practices, and develop their cultural skills.
- Develop cultural resources
- Ensure country food and traditional cultural items are being used
- Support clients to learn about safe and appropriate use of cultural tools
- Coordinate access to cultural resources, as well as Elders and knowledge keepers
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with the child’s family members (if endorsed by the GN), Inuuqatigiit Centre’s internal programs, Government of Nunavut employees, group home staff and caregivers, external partner programs, and other service providers to create and support a coordinated network of wrap-around services for children and youth
- Collaborate with GN employees to connect youth to existing supports and resources in the community to assist them in successfully transitioning from care to healthy and independent living, including:
- Educational supports and resources
- Employment services and training
- Life skills training (e.g. financial management, household management)
- Health, including sexual health
- Mental health services; and
- Legal services
- Supports for youth exploring their gender identity.
- Supports for 2SLGBTQ+ youth; and
- Inclusive and non-judgmental, ability to support gender diverse individuals and individuals along the sexual orientation spectrum.
- Understand and follow all program policies (e.g., health and safety).
- Ensure program space is maintained in an orderly and inviting manner
- Participate as a team member in program development and facilitation.
- Comply with all recording and reporting requirements outlined in Inuuqatigiit Centre policies and procedures (e.g., incident reports).
- Maintain program equipment in good repair and share responsibility for keeping a healthy and safe program space; and
- Identify and report on concerns, issues, and hazards.
ACCOUNTABILITY
- Accountable to the Government of Nunavut
- Accountable for the well-being of individual youth who attend programming
- Accountable for the cultural integrity of all youth programming
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
- Develop positive and professional relationships within the Government of Nunavut employees, clients, and other external partners; and
- Develop supportive and professional rapport with Inuuqatigiit Centre staff.
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
- Communicate regularly with Inuuqatigiit Centre staff and external partners about youth’s needs and progress; and
- Liaise with other professionals or community resources in supporting individual youth; and
- Ability to work collaboratively and develop and maintain strong relationships with internal Inuuqatigiit Centre programs, TI programs, and other service providers.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Work regular and consistent weekly hours of work.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends when required; and
- Willingness to travel required.
KNOWLEDGE AND SILLS
- Passionate about sharing and passing on cultural knowledge.
- Exceptional knowledge of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, Inuit history, culture and values.
- Knowledge of socio-determinates of health that impact Inuit families.
- Inclusive and non-judgmental, ability to support gender diverse individuals and individuals along the sexual orientation spectrum.
- Experience in child/youth engagement and community outreach
- Knowledge of available resources in community and the surrounding areas
- Experience in conducting intake, individual counseling, and group facilitation
- Ability to initiate, develop, plan, and deliver group programming, including cultural programming.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with children, youth, community members, fellow employees, and staff at Inuuqatigiit and other partner agencies
- Ability to function effectively in a high stress, high noise environment; and
- Ability to operate computer systems and relevant software.
QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS
- Inuit descent required.
- Written and spoken fluency in Inuktitut is required.
- Post-Secondary education in Social Work; or equivalent is an asset.
- Minimum of two to three years’ experience working with a child, youth or family-oriented program; and
- Experience working with Inuit or Indigenous communities.
- TB Test, if applicable, and other immunizations up to date.
- Medical certification of good health.
- Vulnerable Sector Check required in keeping with Inuuqatigiit Centre Personnel Policies and Procedures; and
- CPR / First Aid Certification (or willingness to become certified).
- Ontario Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle is an asset; and
- Ability to handle difficult and painful emotional situations and establish healthy boundaries, understands the importance of and practices work life balance.
Please apply with a cover letter and up-to-date resume to Human Resources Department
Note that accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.
If you require specific accommodation, please contact the HR Department through the contact information provided above, so that we can make suitable arrangements with you.
When two equally qualified candidates are considered for the same position, preference will be given to the candidate of Inuit descent.
We thank all who apply for this position.
Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. This position is dependent upon funding approval.
