Vancouver Island West School District No. 84 invites applications for the position of District Lead – Indigenous Education (Excluded Position)

Located on the beautiful West Coast of Vancouver Island with its endless outdoor and ocean recreational opportunities, School District 84 delivers public education to approximately 350 students in five schools in the First Nations communities of Kyuquot, Oclucje, Ehatis, and Tsaxana, as well as the rural communities of Zeballos, Tahsis and Gold River. The School Board Office is located in Gold River.

Reporting to the Superintendent of Schools, the District Lead – Indigenous Education is an excluded management position compensated at a Vice-Principal level responsible for providing district-wide leadership, coordination, and strategic direction for Indigenous education initiatives and services. The role focuses on advancing Indigenous student success, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities and partners, and supporting the integration of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and perspectives throughout district programs and practices.

The preferred candidate has experience working collaboratively with local Indigenous communities and demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, reconciliation, and culturally responsive education. Local candidates are encouraged to apply.

Note: School District 84 engages in preferential hiring of self-identified First Nations applicants in accordance with Section 42 (Special Programs) of the BC Human Rights Code.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership for Indigenous education initiatives across the District in alignment with First Peoples Principles of Learning, Truth & Reconciliation, UNDRIP, and district strategic priorities.
• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of Indigenous education programs, services, and strategies from the district's Strategic Plan, Indigenous Enhancement Agreement, and Local Education Agreements, to support Indigenous student success, engagement, and graduation.
• Monitors documentation of Indigenous Supports across the district for audit protection.
• Monitors Indigenous student achievement and well-being and oversees the collection, analysis, and reporting of student data to support continuous improvement.
• Oversees compliance with Ministry of Education requirements, including 1701 processes and targeted Indigenous education funding.
• Administers Indigenous education budget, ensuring programs and funding are managed responsibly and in accordance with funding agreements.
• Supports Indigenous education staff in accordance with district policies, procedures, and applicable collective agreements.
• Builds instructional and cultural capacity of teachers, administrators, and support staff through professional learning, workshops, and Indigenous-focused in-service opportunities.
• Collaborates with school administrators to support the integration of Indigenous curriculum, knowledge, language, and culture into classrooms and school communities.
• Builds and maintains respectful, collaborative relationships with local Nations, Indigenous partners, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous Education Councils.
• Liaises and actively engages with Indigenous families and communities to support student success, belonging, and well-being.
• Provides guidance to the District on cultural protocols and culturally safe practices.
• Participates as a member of the SD84 Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and represents the District on local, regional, and provincial Indigenous education networks and committees.
• Liaises between the IEC, school administrators and staff.
• Champions equity, anti-racism, and trauma-informed practices and responds to concerns raised by Indigenous students, families, and staff;
• Travels to schools and communities across SD84; and
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in educational leadership, Administration, Indigenous language or a related field (or in progress).
• Valid BC Teaching Certificate or eligibility for certification with the BC Teacher Regulation Branch.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a K–12 educational setting, preferably in a unionized public-school environment.
• Significant experience leading, promoting, and supporting Indigenous educational and cultural initiatives at the school or district level.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of local Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, and contemporary issues, including the impacts of historical and intergenerational trauma.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with Indigenous students, families, communities, and partner organizations.
• Experience implementing Ministry of Education Indigenous policy guidelines, including 1701 processes.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with staff, unions, administrators, and community partners.
• Demonstrated commitment to Indigenous student success, equity, and culturally responsive practice; and
• Proficiency in Nuu-chah-nulth language

Salary Range:

$134,174 - $149,364 annually (excluded management position), commensurate with qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. The position will commence August 1, 2026.

Application packages should include a cover letter, a resume detailing your experiences, and contact information for a minimum of two supervisory references. Application packages should be combined into a single pdf file and emailed to hr@viw.sd84.bc.ca. Please direct any questions to slarre@viw.sd84.bc.ca.

The posting will be closed on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 10:00 am. We thank all who apply, however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.