Business Unit: Lax Kw'alaams Wap Suwilaawksa
Location: Lax Kw’alaams, British Columbia
Reporting to: Chief Administrative Officer
The Lax Kw’alaams Wap Suwilaawksa School is a vibrant K–12 learning community that integrates academic excellence with Tsimshian culture, language, and traditions. Our dedicated staff work collaboratively to create meaningful, engaging, and inclusive learning experiences that honour the values and aspirations of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation. We are seeking a passionate, visionary, and collaborative Superintendent to join our leadership team in September 2026.
This role provides strategic educational leadership and oversees the direction, administration, and continuous improvement of the school's educational programs. Working closely with Elders, families, staff, the school Principal, the CAO, and community members, the Superintendent ensures programs reflect the culture, language, values, and aspirations of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation while meeting or exceeding British Columbia provincial standards. The successful candidate will champion student success by fostering culturally grounded, student-centered learning environments and will demonstrate a strong commitment to Indigenous
education, reconciliation, and community-driven educational excellence.
Responsibilities:
General
Student Success and Well-Being
- Establish a culture where student well-being, belonging, safety, and success are foundational
- Lead initiatives that improve literacy, numeracy, graduation rates, attendance, and student engagement
- Support trauma-informed, culturally safe, and inclusive educational practices
- Expand opportunities in trades, technology, post-secondary preparation, athletics, fine arts, and experiential learning
- Lead a sustained community-engaged approach to addressing chronic attendance challenges through trust-building, culturally grounded strategies, and consistent communication
Educational Leadership
- Develop and implement a long-term educational vision aligned with the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation Strategic Plan
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance student achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and post-secondary transitions
- Foster innovation in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and culturally responsive teaching practices
- Ensure educational programming integrates Ts'msyen language, history, culture, land-based learning, and Indigenous knowledge systems
- Promote high expectations for student learning while recognizing diverse learning needs
- Assist in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of school policies and procedures to support effective governance, student success, and organizational excellence.
- Support clearly defined boundaries between Band governance, Band Administration, and education operations to strengthen accountability and effective decision-making
- Collaborate with the Education committee to strengthen independent educational governance while maintaining positive working relationships
Strategic Planning and Governance
- Advise the CAO on educational priorities, legislation, and strategic initiatives
- Develop multi-year education plans, annual operational plans, and measurable performance indicators
- Ensure compliance with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), First Nations Schools Association (FNSA), British Columbia Ministry of Education requirements, and applicable legislation
- Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for leadership and funding agencies
Leadership of Staff
- Provide strong leadership to stabilize staffing and support a healthy, collaborative workplace culture
- Recruit, mentor, supervise, and evaluate managers, principals, teachers, and support staff
- Build a positive organizational culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and respect
- Support professional learning focused on First Nation’s pedagogy, instructional excellence, leadership development, and cultural competency
- Promote staff wellness and retention, particularly within a rural and remote setting
- Provide effective leadership in resolving internal disputes and managing union-related matters
- Address employee grievances in a timely and confidential manner, working collaboratively with Human Resources and the CAO to facilitate appropriate resolution in accordance with the Collective Agreement, organizational policies and applicable legislation
- Conduct annual performance evaluations for school administration (Principal and Vice-Principal). Review the completed evaluations for all other school staff to ensure consistency, fairness, constructive feedback, clear professional growth goals, and alignment with organizational expectations, supporting ongoing professional development to promote individual and organizational excellence
- Lead with a trauma-informed approach that recognizes historical, emotional, and relational factors influencing the workplace
Language and Cultural Revitalization
- Work closely with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, hereditary leadership, and community members to strengthen Ts'msyen language revitalization throughout the school
- Support land-based education and culturally authentic programming
- Ensure the community’s ways of knowing, being, and doing are embedded throughout school operations and curriculum
- Honour community protocols, traditions, and cultural teachings in educational leadership
Community Engagement
- Build strong, respectful relationships with students, families, Elders, community organizations, and partner agencies
- Maintain regular communication with the community regarding educational priorities
- Encourage meaningful family and community participation in school life
- Represent the Nation in regional, provincial, and national education initiatives Financial and Operational Leadership
- Lead the development and management of the annual education budget
- Ensure responsible stewardship of financial resources and funding agreements
- Identify new funding opportunities and partnerships that support educational innovation
- Oversee facilities planning, technology integration, transportation, and operational effectiveness
- Ensure accurate and comprehensive records are maintained to support the effective and efficient operation of the school, including preparation for annual audits, responding to Finance Department requests, and providing timely information to the CAO as required.
Staff Leave and Holiday Framework Review
- Review, analyze, and assess the current staff leave and holiday structure to ensure transparency, fairness, and alignment with educational best practices. Provide recommendations to the CAO on a clear, equitable framework that supports staff well-being and prevents unintended impacts
Partnerships
- Develop collaborative relationships with
- First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC)
- First Nations Schools Association (FNSA)
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
- British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care
- Northwest post-secondary institutions
- Local school districts
- Indigenous organizations
- Community health and social service agencies
- Note: Perform all other duties as assigned and within the scope of the position
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education
- Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Indigenous Education, or a related field
- Valid British Columbia Teaching Certificate or eligibility for certification
- Superintendent Leadership Qualification Program (or willingness to obtain is considered an asset) Experience
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in educational leadership roles
- Significant experience serving as a Principal and/or district-level educational leader
- Demonstrated success in improving student achievement, instructional practices, and organizational effectiveness
- Experience working collaboratively with First Nations communities and Indigenous education organizations
- Proven experience managing complex budgets, strategic planning initiatives, human resources, and educational governance responsibilities
- Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, families, Elders, and community partners through collaborative and culturally responsive leadership
Competency
- Deep understanding of First Nations education, history, culture, language, reconciliation, and community-based learning approaches
- Knowledge of First Nations governance structures, community engagement practices, and relationship-building principles
- Strong understanding of British Columbia curriculum, assessment practices, and educational standards
- Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).
- Demonstrated experience implementing culturally responsive, inclusive, and student-centred educational practices
- Strong strategic planning, organizational leadership, and management skills
- Exceptional communication, collaboration, relationship-building, and conflict resolution abilities
- Proven financial, operational, and resource management expertise
- Commitment to continuous improvement through evidence-informed decision-making and a focus on student success
- Collaborative and servant leader who inspires trust, builds capacity, and supports a shared vision for student success
- Respectful of First Nations governance, cultural protocols, traditions, and the values and aspirations of the Lax Kw’alaams community
- A relationship builder who demonstrates integrity, transparency, humility, and a commitment to meaningful engagement with students, staff, families, Elders, and community members
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to work effectively within a rural community environment
- Passionate about student success, lifelong learning, and creating equitable opportunities for all learners to thrive
- Committed to supporting staff growth, professional development, and continuous organizational improvement
Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Physical Demand
- Ability to work effectively in an office and school environment, including extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and attending meetings
- Ability to manage a varied workload, including attending evening events, community gatherings, school activities, ceremonies, and cultural activities that support meaningful engagement with students, families, staff, Elders, and the Lax Kw’alaams community.
Mental Demands
- Ability to maintain focus, organization, and effective decision-making while managing competing priorities and time-sensitive responsibilities
- Must be prepared to deal with emergencies and stressful situations at any time
Condition of Employment
- You will adhere to the Lax Kw’alaams Band Code of Conduct, Code of Confidentiality, Social Media Policy and any other Policies in the Human Resource Manual
- Follow all guidelines harmoniously and cooperatively, creating a team approach in their duties for the Band’s future success
- Acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
- Valid Driver’s License (Class 5)
Classification/Pay Scale
- $145,000 to $160,000 annually
- You can expect a supportive work environment along with a comprehensive total compensation package. This includes a competitive salary, extended health and dental benefits, and a pension plan with contributions of up to 5%, matched by the employer
- Moving Allowance: Up to $5,000 will be reimbursed upon submission of receipts, based on the actual amount spent
Submission Deadline:
- Open until filled
- We invite all interested parties to reply in the strictest confidence to Human Resources: hr_resume@laxband.com
** Preference will be given to Lax Kw’alaams Band Members or qualified applicants of Indigenous ancestry. However, we invite all qualified individuals to apply.
