July 18, 2025

NITEP Lax Kw’alaams Field Centre to Open in Northern B.C. – Faculty of Education (NITEP), the University of British Columbia, in partnership with Lax Kw’alaams First Nation | ITE Grant Recipient | $998,666 | Reinforce Stream

We’re thrilled to share, on behalf of the Lax Kw’alaams Education Department, some truly exciting news that marks a significant step forward for Indigenous prospective teachers in our region. This partnership represents a shared vision of supporting our future educators, strengthening our communities by creating meaningful pathways for local students to be taught by local teachers—trusted role models who reflect their communities, speak their languages, and carry their cultures into the classroom.

As NITEP celebrates 50 years of Indigenous teacher education at the University of British Columbia, the program is marking this milestone with a bold new chapter: the launch of a Field Centre in Lax Kw’alaams—one of the most ambitious community-based expansions of NITEP to date.

This new centre will deliver UBC’s full Bachelor of Education program, including a 21-credit Indigenous Education specialization, directly in Prince Rupert and surrounding communities. The result? Indigenous students from Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, and Kitkatla can now earn their degrees—and teacher certification—without leaving home.

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