Indigenous Liaison Advisor

Work Location: Toronto or remote within Ontario (Hybrid work subject to operational requirements)

Role: Consultant

Engagement: 12-month contract, may be extended by mutual agreement

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION

The Ontario Ombudsman’s work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province we now call Ontario. The City of Toronto, where our office is located, is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We are thankful to be able to live and work on this land, and we acknowledge the many treaties that overlay it.

We believe in the significance of land acknowledgments as a way to recognize, respect and honour this territory, the treaties, the original occupants, their ancestors, and the historic connection they still have with this territory.

As part of our commitment to reconciliation, our focus in the next few years will be on:

• Demonstrating our Office's dedication to serving the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 in Ontario and expanding our capacity to do so;
• Providing educational opportunities for our staff to help them learn more about our shared history and the harms that have been inflicted on Indigenous peoples;
• Working to establish mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities across the province; and
• Continuing to integrate recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls into our work.
  
  

We are grateful for the opportunity to work on this part of Turtle Island.

About Us

The Ombudsman is a democratic institution, not a government department, and an essential element in states based on democracy, the rule of law, good administration and respect for rights.

The Office of the Ontario Ombudsman was established in 1975 and takes complaints about the administrative decisions and actions of more than 1,000 public sector and government bodies in Ontario, as well as French language services and services provided in the child protection sector.

As an independent, non-partisan Officer of the Ontario Legislature, the Ombudsman is appointed by all parties to ensure that the provincial government and public sector serve people in a way that is fair, accountable, transparent and respectful of their rights.

We intervene to resolve or investigate issues involving government and public sector administration and make evidence-based recommendations for corrective action when necessary. We do so based on complaints or our initiative and are recognized internationally for the calibre and impact of our work.

The Role

Ombudsman Ontario is seeking a qualified and experienced consultant to provide the Ombudsman with Indigenous liaison advisory services. The successful proponent will play a critical role in advancing our commitment to facilitating engagement and building relationships with Indigenous peoples, nations and communities across what is now referred to as the province of Ontario, as well as better serving the Indigenous peoples who interact with Ombudsman Ontario, and embedding principles of Truth and Reconciliation across our operations.

Ontario has the largest population of Indigenous people in Canada, which is growing at a faster rate than the non-Indigenous population. The Ombudsman seeks to engage with the Indigenous peoples recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 within Ontario and raise awareness of all aspects of the office’s jurisdiction including in the areas of children and youth in care, justice, corrections, housing, health care, education, municipalities, and natural resources.

Through its complaint handling and investigation of provincial and municipal issues, Ombudsman Ontario is an institution with a unique ability to identify and comment on emerging issues and propose improvements that enhance governance, such as improving the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Ontario public sector agencies that provide services to them, and Indigenous peoples’ equal access to opportunities within those agencies.

We acknowledge that we have much work to do to progress our commitment to a shared path for reconciliation, but the mission is to recognize, respect, and affirm the rich culture and history of Indigenous peoples in all that we do, including in our daily interactions resolving complaints and in our role as an effective agent of change addressing systemic issues. Ombudsman Ontario effectively addresses issues of concern and can uniquely contribute to reconciliation.

In addition to providing assistance to individuals from Indigenous communities, the Ombudsman aspires to playing a helpful role in informing nation-to-nation and government-to-government discussions.

Through the provision of advice and guidance to the Ombudsman as well as engaging with various other members of the Ombudsman Team, the consultant’s services will include:

• Leading the development and implementation of outreach and engagement strategies which establish, develop and maintain meaningful relations with Indigenous nations and communities throughout the province to raise awareness of Ombudsman Ontario and optimize equal access to and more culturally sensitive service delivery for Indigenous peoples.
• Facilitating engagement and dialogue with Indigenous peoples, nations and communities, learning how Ombudsman Ontario can better serve and be more accessible to them.
• In partnership with assigned staff, translate feedback and information learned through engagement with Indigenous peoples, nations and communities into practical and achievable action plans to enhance our operations and service delivery for the benefit of Indigenous people living on lands located within what is now referred to as the province of Ontario.
• Engaging in ongoing relational assessments and assisting with the evaluation of related implemented action plans, providing expert advice for continuing and new opportunities.
  
  

About You

As an Indigenous person with established community networks and influence, you have a deep connection with your Indigenous identity, community and/or Nation that recognizes you as a member or citizen.

You have excellent knowledge of the realities of Indigenous peoples and communities across the province, including the historical and cultural contexts of administrative operations and federal and provincial legal frameworks that apply to Indigenous peoples and which can perpetuate historical disadvantages and inequalities.

You appreciate the intersections between the Indian Act and provincial responsibilities, the existence of Indigenous governments, jurisdiction and legal orders, and the nation-to-nation reconciliation work under way between Crown and Indigenous governments in Canada.

You bring your lived understanding of being Indigenous in Canada to your work and take a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach. You have demonstrated political acumen and a capacity to influence.

You are able to leverage and strengthen existing relationships and develop new ones with Indigenous peoples, leadership, organizations and communities across Ontario.

You are able to analyze, synthesize and translate research and feedback into meaningful, actionable plans that align with Ombudsman Ontario's vision and mission and advance our commitment to better serving Indigenous people.

You are passionate about using your expertise and lived understanding of Indigenous practices and the harmful impacts of colonization to make a meaningful contribution to advancing Truth and Reconciliation principles for the benefit of all people living in Ontario.

You are distinguished for your relationship-building skills, having a great sense for human relations and superior interpersonal skills.

Additional Requirements

• Citizenship or membership with a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis community or Nation of Canada as verified by the relevant community or Nation is a bona fide occupational requirement for this contract to best serve and liaise with Indigenous peoples, Nations and communities: Those whose citizenship/membership is with a Nation or community in what is now Ontario are encouraged to submit a proposal. Only proponents who are recognized as members or citizens by a First Nations, Metis, Inuit community or Nation in Canada will be considered. As part of your proposal, please indicate if you are a citizen or member of a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit community or Nation in Canada. Those who have submitted a proposal and move to the next stage of the process will be asked to submit documentation verifying their First Nations, Inuit or Métis citizenship/membership in accordance with our Indigenous Citizenship/Membership Verification Policy (Interim). Please contact Aoife Coghlan at the email address below if you have questions regarding the accepted type of verifying documentation.
• Because of the role of institutional representation and the variety of documents to be written, the consultant sought for this position must excel in both oral and written expression. Mastery of the English language is mandatory. Knowledge of an Indigenous language and/or French is an asset.
• Proponents may be asked to submit a criminal record background check, and verification of references prior to their Proposal being accepted. If applicable, your consent will be obtained first.
• The consultant will be required to travel within communities to participate in certain events and to meet with associations across the province.
• Regular attendance at our office located in Toronto is also expected.
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with Office policies and the terms of the contract.
• The consultant must be able to work remotely within Ontario, including having access to a computer, cell phone and a good internet connection.
  
  

About Us

The Ombudsman is an independent, impartial Officer of the Legislature that resolves and investigates complaints about Ontario government organizations, broader public sector bodies (including municipalities, universities and school boards), child protection services, and compliance with the French Language Services Act. The Ombudsman recommends solutions to individual and systemic administrative problems, and promotes fairness, accountability and transparency in the public sector as well as respect for French language service rights and the rights of children and youth in care.