Indigenous Peer Support Worker

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Indigenous Peer Support Worker provides culturally safe, trauma-informed, and client-centered peer support to individuals accessing withdrawal management and addiction medicine services. This is a peer-based, non-clinical role grounded in lived experience with substance use and recovery. The Indigenous Peer Support Worker supports all clients within the program, while bringing specialized knowledge and focus to Indigenous clients and prioritizing their engagement when present.

Drawing from lived experience, cultural knowledge, and peer support principles, the role assists clients in navigating withdrawal, stabilization, recovery, and connection to community resources. This role plays a key part in promoting culturally safe care by integrating Indigenous values, traditions, and healing practices, while also acting as a cultural resource within the interdisciplinary team. The Indigenous Peer Support Worker will advocate on behalf of clients and help clients to address problems and answer questions, gather and provide information and advise, and connect clients to resources and to the community.

Service provision will focus on working with clients to enhance their recovery. The incumbent must demonstrate the values of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and contributes positively to the mission and vision of the program and organization. The Peer Support Worker complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Standards for the organization and is proactive in promoting a safe work environment.

Key Responsibilities      Direct Peer Support     Provide one-on-one peer-based emotional support to clients accessing withdrawal management services
Build supportive, trusting relationships grounded in empathy, respect, and shared lived experience
Support clients through withdrawal, stabilization, and early recovery using harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches
Share lived experience in a way that promotes hope, dignity, and engagement
Provide crisis support, de-escalation, and emotional stabilization as needed
Provide peer support to all clients, while prioritizing Indigenous clients when present

Resource Navigation & Advocacy     Assist clients in accessing housing, healthcare, treatment programs, social services, and community support
Support recovery planning, discharge planning, and community reintegration
Connect Indigenous clients to culturally relevant services, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and traditional healing resources
Advocate for client needs and culturally safe care within the interdisciplinary team

Group Facilitation & Education     Plan and facilitate regular psycho educational, wellness, and peer-based groups aligned with program needs and targets
Facilitate sharing circles and culturally informed group programming where appropriate
Raise awareness of mental health, substance use, harm reduction, and recovery
Promote participation, self-reflection, connection, and skill development among clients
Adapt group content to meet diverse needs, strengths, and stages of recovery
Maintain group attendance and documentation

Cultural Support & Community Connection     Provide culturally grounded support to Indigenous clients
Foster trust and credibility by supporting initiatives in ways that honour Indigenous values, protocols, and community priorities.
Support access to Indigenous cultural practices, teachings, and healing approaches
Assist clients in reconnecting with culture, identity, and community
Demonstrated experience establishing, nurturing, and maintaining respectful, trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, leadership, and partners.
Collaborate with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous organizations
Act as a cultural resource within…