Braiding Sweetgrass – Relief Facilitator

Braiding the Sweetgrass – Relief Facilitator

Hull Services has an organizational commitment to pursuing truth and reconciliation, decolonization and anti-oppression.

Hull Services has had a long reputation for providing leading edge child, youth, and family mental health services. We work with children, youth and families who have experienced mental health struggles, behavioural problems, developmental delay, neglect, abuse and trauma. Hull offers them an opportunity to seek well-being and happiness, with a focus on mental health. Hull’s vision is for resilient young people and families to thrive within communities that support their mental health and well-being.

Hull’s programs and services include prevention and early intervention, family-based treatment, school-based services, community group care, campus-based care, adult services and education and training. Located in Calgary, we have been serving Alberta’s young people and families for 60 years, and support over 8,000 young people and families each year.

Braiding the Sweetgrass is a program offered to Indigenous families in Calgary by Hull Services. This program guides Indigenous families through the effects of intergenerational trauma (IGT) to a place of well-being. In Braiding the Sweetgrass (BTS), families experience culture, community and reconnection on their journey of healing. The primary goal of BTS is to create a foundation upon which we can build a future for healthy Indigenous families, free from the trauma cycle.

Hull has developed this unique approach blending Traditional healing practices and Western understanding of brain development and the effects of trauma. Elders are important wisdom keepers of Traditional knowledge and a team of selected Elders from a variety of tribes have been integral contributors to the development and delivery of the program. Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) has provided the lens for understanding trauma and working with culture to heal the effects of IGT.

Braiding the Sweetgrass is currently seeking individuals to assist in the facilitation of culturally specific programming for Indigenous families. Working alongside BTS Facilitators & Elders, this role supports the delivery of programming to promote participation, learning, and growth by helping to blend cultural activities and teachings with trauma informed care and activities that support healthy brain development.

Preference will be given to individuals who have lived experience with Indigenous Canadian cultures.

• Assist in creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
• Respond to behavior management needs with an approach consistent with cultural teachings and trauma informed perspective.
• Contribute to group preparation needs (e.g. transportation, room set-up, meal prep) and post-group debriefings to share their perspective and bring value to planning for the group.
• Support with Administrative duties as needed.

• Experience and ability to relate to Indigenous children, families and Elders.
• Cultural awareness and understanding of the effects of intergenerational trauma.
• Experience facilitating groups.
• Minimum certificate with preference of a diploma or a degree in human services or social sciences, or currently enrolled in a program.
• Energetic, fun and dedicated to supporting Indigenous children and families.
• Ability to relate and work effectively with co-workers as a member of the BTS team.
• Flexibility and availability for evening and weekend work.
• Participation in regularly scheduled supervision and in-depth performance appraisals.
• Cross cultural competence; knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the recommendations,…