Indigenous Ancestry Research Outreach Worker

Wigwamen Incorporated is seeking a conscientious and compassionate individual for the full-time contract position of Indigenous Ancestry Research Outreach Worker.

The preferred candidate will have:

• Knowledge of historical and modern-day barriers impacting Indigenous communities – especially Indian Residential Schools, the 60s Scoop and Canada’s child welfare system
• Experience working with and/or living alongside urban Indigenous people
• Post-secondary education in the community and social services sector, or other related fields
• Excellent communication skills – to interview applicants, simplify complex information, serve as liaison with community partners, and de-escalate emotionally charged conversations
• Strong research skills - including planning, analyzing, record-keeping, and presenting findings
• Good computer literacy – including Microsoft Office, and family research tools and databases
• Ability to work under pressure – to manage work, juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Capacity to build good rapport with applicants while maintaining professional boundaries
• Experience with Indigenous community research and/or family history research is an asset
• Experience working with individuals with mental health issues and/or addictions is an asset
• The ability to maintain a case load of all required related information, including case notes, documentation, forms, applications, etc.
• Ability to work in various weather environments (cold – hot), a variety of public locations and times, while bringing services and supports to those who are homeless.
• Ability to travel throughout the Greater Toronto area.

Responsibilities will include:

• Interviewing applicants with incomplete Indigenous Ancestry Documentation and gathering information relevant for research
• Contacting family and community contacts provided, and documenting each part of the research process and findings in a secure electronic system
• Conducting family history research, using genealogical tools and updating research databases
• Maintaining timely correspondence and providing updates to waitlist managers
• Staying up to date on government-recognized ID requirements, relevant legislation, policies, and non-governmental organizations, especially how they affect Indigenous communities
• Creating and updating a master list of contacts to various Indigenous agencies and communities in and outside Toronto – and seeking to maintain good working relationships with all partners
• Ongoing learning regarding historical and modern-day barriers impacting Indigenous people
• Completing activity and board reports within established timelines

This is a full-time contract position, with potential for renewal. Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@wigwamen.com by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 31^st, 2025.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Wigwamen Incorporated is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise us in advance to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.