Indigenous Garden Worker

External/Internal Job Posting: Mashkikii’aki’ing (Medicine Wheel) Garden – Indigenous Worker  

Full-time, fixed-term contract (35 hrs./wk.- April 3rd, 2023 to March 29th, 2024) – Bargaining Unit position 

ABOUT THE STOP: 

The Stop Community Food Centre is a leading-edge and nationally respected non-profit organization that has been providing innovative programs and advocacy to address problems of hunger and inequality for over 40 years (www.thestop.org). The Stop’s mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality.  

THE OPPORTUNITY: 

Reporting to our Urban Agriculture manager, and working alongside our staff and partners from the Native Men’s Residence (NaMeRes), the ideal candidate will assist with program activities at the Mashkikii;aki’ing (Medicine Wheel) Community Garden (MKK). The garden is located in Hillcrest Park, a significant landscape historically shaped in numerous ways, by our Indigenous Ancestors. This site is on a high point of the ridge, known in Anishnaabemoen as Gete Onigaming (“very old portage”), which runs along the north side of Davenport Rd, the former shore of Lake Iroquois. The Mashkikii (MKK) Team grows Native food crops, such as heritage Three Sisters, various Medicines, including the Sacred Medicines native to this territory and wild-craft directly from the Land. We also support other local Indigenous communities in planting, growing, harvesting and using these plants, with Ceremony, songs and stories. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Support the MKK Team in Indigenous Land/Food/Medicine Sovereignty, Stewardship, eco-restoration and Cultural regeneration projects 
• Support MKK programs, with meal preparation, hosting space, curriculum co-facilitation, honourable-harvest & processing, holding Ceremonies, Storytelling, cultural projects and all general Maskikii;aki’ing garden care 
• Support weekly community sessions with Sagatay and NaMeRes groups 

• Support participants / volunteers in all aspects of engaging with the garden ecosystem, working with the plant Medicines and in cultural production 
• Involve members of the wider Indigenous community 
• Assist with Mashkikii;aki’ing garden maintenance outside session times (e.g., watering, pest control, composting, etc.) 
• Assist with maintenance of MKK growing spaces in The Stop’s Greenhouse  
• Support workshops, tours, open houses, and talks (one-off’s & series) done in and with Indigenous community partners 

• Maintain MKK garden records, program logs and storage spaces 
• Support The Stop’s Urban Agriculture special events, work B’s and educational programming 

Please note, there will be opportunities for this position to work among The Stop’s other Urban Agriculture sites, from time to time.  

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience in organic/holistic/natural/ecological/permaculture gardening – a strong asset (through any of the following: paid employment, volunteer work, personal experience)  
• Commitment to and understanding of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices 

• Commitment to and understanding of food justice and social justice principles  
• Excellent interpersonal skills, i.e. working with a diversity of people facing intersectional barriers, including Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities, as well as people managing different abilities 
• Basic computer skills with programs such as Word, Excel, E-mail, OneDrive 
• Creative thinking, accountability, and a desire to learn – are strong assets 
• Ability to speak a language relevant to the neighbourhood (e.g. Anishinaabe Moen, Ka Nienke, Nehiyawewin or other First Nations, Metis, Inuit languages) – is an asset, but not a requirement 

• Some evenings and some weekend work may be required  
• Strong listening skills – required 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist with spring seedling production in our Greenhouse  
• Assist with community events and MKK open houses  
• Assist with program evaluations and maintenance of program records 
• Respond to emails and meet regularly with supervisor 
• Meet regularly with The Stop Urban Agriculture team, and other staff members as needed 

• Work closely with program staff from our community partners – e.g., NaMeRes 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

• Potential candidates must be First Nations, Inuit or Metis and reside within the GTA. Must be registered or eligible to register with Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training 

• Applicants must register with Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Services, be currently working with an Employment Advisor, and undergo an eligibility check 
• Non-registered candidates can contact reception@miziwebiik.com to set up an appointment 

Salary (Band 1A): $42,133 per year 

Hours: 35 hours/week      

Start date: April 3rd, 2023 

End date: March 29th, 2024 

Please submit your cover letter and résumé by 5 PM, Tuesday March 14th, 2023 

Subject line: Indigenous Worker to:  BAMBOO LINK no faxes or phone calls please 

No faxes, emails or phone calls please. Interviews will take place the week of March 20th, 2023 

The Stop Community Food Centre is committed to employment equity and encourages applicants from equity seeking groups. We regret that only those applicants being considered will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in The Stop.