011 - Metis Gladue Writer

About the Role: 

The Métis Gladue Writer will play a vital role in supporting Métis individuals involved in the criminal justice system by ensuring that their unique circumstances and cultural background are understood and considered in criminal court proceedings. This position combines community engagement, program development, and direct Gladue writing to create a comprehensive and culturally sensitive process for identifying and documenting Gladue factors specific to Métis individuals.

This position will primarily focus on building program infrastructure and conducting community engagement for the first year before beginning to write Gladue reports and letters.

What you will be doing:

• Community Engagement
  • Build relationships with Métis communities and leaders to gain insights into community-specific needs and experiences.
  • Facilitate community consultations to gather information to establish Métis-specific Gladue factors, including historical, social, socioeconomic, and systemic challenges linked to Métis identity.
  • Act as a liaison between Métis communities and the criminal justice system, ensuring Métis individuals are given equitable access to Gladue reports and letters in the criminal justice system.
• Program Development
  • Develop and implement program infrastructure, including manuals, forms, and guidelines, to support consistent and effective Gladue writing practices.
  • Collaborate with legal professionals, Métis knowledge holders, and community representatives to ensure the program aligns with legal requirements of Gladue writing and community cultural values.
  • Identify and document best practices for Métis-specific Gladue writing in the program manual.
  • Program promotion and relationship building with stakeholders.
• Gladue Writing
  • Conduct interviews, both virtually and in-person, with Métis citizens and their families to gather personal histories, cultural connections, and relevant circumstances.
  • Research and document systemic factors impacting Métis communities to contextualize individual stories.
  • Prepare high-quality Gladue reports and letters to submit to court that reflect the unique needs and experiences of Métis individuals
• Other Requirements
  • Willingness to travel as needed for community engagements and in-person interviews.
  • Understanding of confidentiality and ability to implement trauma-informed practices.
  • Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, particularly with Métis communities
• Previous experience in writing Gladue reports, letters, or similar casework
• In-depth understanding of Gladue principles and their application within the criminal just system
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality evidence and data-based reports and professional presentations
• Demonstrated experience in program development
• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire and expand knowledge and to be flexible in a demanding and dynamic environment
• Previous experience dealing with confidential information
• Certified Gladue Writer
• Completion of post-secondary education in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Strong desire to act in the service of the Métis Citizens, to advance and uphold rights and culture
• Strong knowledge of Métis history, culture, and the impacts of colonization and systemic discrimination

Preferred Qualifications

• Post secondary degree or diploma in Indigenous studies, social work, criminology, law, English, writing, or related field
• 5 years or more experience in a similar/comparable role
• Strong knowledge of Métis-specific history and contemporary life

Positions at the MNO may require the following:

1. Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain
2. Completion and maintenance of Vulnerable Sector Verification
3. A reliable vehicle (or ability to rent), driver’s licence, $1,000,000 liability insurance, and a clean driving record
4. Flexibility to work extended hours as necessary
5. Ability to occasionally travel within Ontario for limited periods of time