Programs and Services
Housing
The Housing Department maintains all band-owned homes in the community, which includes rental units and social housing.
The Department also manages construction projects, collects rent, and provides support for people to get loans for renovations through the band and/or the Lax Kw’alaams Trust.
Elders Rental Housing Application
Reg Sampson, Director of Housing (250) 625-3293 Ext 237 [email protected]
Jennifer Reece, Housing Clerk (250) 625-3293 Ext 238 housing_c[email protected]
Fisheries
Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Stewardship program is run through the Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Department.
We conduct rigorous scientific research to monitor the condition and use of marine resources within the territory. Lax Kw’alaams representatives use information collected from this research in negotiations involving fishing rights or proposed industrial development.
Staff
Bill Shepert – Fisheries Manager [email protected]
Katherine Butts – Senior Biologist [email protected]
Jim Henry – Fisheries Technician [email protected]
Wade Helin – Fisheries Technician [email protected]
Devin Helin – Fisheries Technician [email protected]
John Latimer – GIS Technician [email protected]
Brandon Ryan – Lab Technician [email protected]
For more information on the Stewardship Program, call the Lax Kw’alaams Fisheries Lab at 250.627.8509.
Social Development
Income Assistance Program
The overall goal of the Income Assistance Program is an improved quality of life through the reduction of poverty on-reserve, as well as improved participation in the workforce for participants of the program.
The Income Assistance program provides funding to assist eligible individuals and families who live on-reserve.
To determine eligibility, the Income Assistance program requires one picture ID and one non-picture ID as well as a copy of your notice of assessment for income tax.
Contact
Gwen Tait (250) 625-3293 Ext 233
[email protected]
Health
Lax Kw’alaams Health Centre
The Health Clinic offers nurse, doctor, dental and other health-related services to members.
On staff, we have:
- Irene Pastulovic, Health Director (250) 625-3497 Ext 2224 [email protected]
- Susan Dennis, Community Health Representative (CHR) (250) 625-3202 [email protected]
- Julie Yeomans, Community Health Representative Assistant (CHR Assistant) (250) 625-3496 [email protected]
- Brenda Spires, Home Care Nurse (250) 625-2384
- Doctor (visits twice a month)
- Dental care (one week every 3 months)
- Pre-natal worker
- Youth care worker
Home & Community Care
Assists members with household tasks they cannot do themselves while promoting client independence and community involvement.
Patient Travel
Provides travel assistance to members of the community to meet health needs (e.g. visiting doctors, dentists, specialists).
Jo Ann Sankey, Patient Travel (250) 625-3397 Ext 2228 [email protected]
Mental Health
Offers health counseling, community workshops and events to members.
Leanne Alexcee, Substance Use / Mental Wellness Worker (250) 625-3491 Ext 2266 [email protected]
Contact
Lax Kw’alaams Health Centre
1602 Legiac Street
250.625.3331
NIFCS
The Lax Kw’alaams Band has been part of Northwest Inter-nation Family and Community Services Society since 2001. NIFCS is an Aboriginal based agency that provides family support, guardianship and caregiver services to seven First Nations in the Northwest region of British Columbia.
Recreation
The Lax Kw’alaams Recreation Centre offers a variety of programs including:
Pool
- Swimming Lessons
- Aqua-Fit
- “Everyone welcome” and adult swims
- Junior lifeguard training
- water-slide!
- steam and dry saunas
- lazy river
- hot tub
Outdoors
- Kayaking
- Canoe Journey
- Outdoor recreation
Gymnasium
- Sports (basketball, badminton, ping pong, indoor soccer)
- Walking group
- Fitness room (free weights, weight machines, rowing machine, treadmills, bikes, elipticals)
Elders Lodge
Recreation programs (special events, movie nights) and rentals (contact Brenda Moraes at 250.625.3448 or 250.625.2530)
Contact
Recreation Director
[email protected]
Membership
The Membership Department serves Lax Kw’alaams Band members in matters relating to registration of births, marriages, deaths and legal name changes as well as the administration of status cards.
Hours of operation: 8:30am to 12:00pm.
New Online Application System
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) implemented a new online system. Members can now go online to register for Bill C-31 and Bill C-3, child registration, adult registration and baby registration. Visit the AANDC website for more information.
Reminders
- After any event- birth, death, marriage, divorce, name change – it takes 6-9 months to complete a change of record at the Regional Office.
- It is important for parents to register babies to the Band as soon as they receive their birth certificates from vital statistics. Once registration is complete, the child is entitled to medical benefits.
- Adults renew status cards every five years, children every three years.
Contact
Karen Knott, Indian Registry Administrator (250) 625-3293 Ext 234 [email protected]
Education Support Service / Grant Writer
The Lax Kw’alaams Band Education Support Services Program provides:
- Long and short-term funding support for post-secondary students.
- Funding for educational programs in the community (e.g. reading program for pre-school to Grade 10 students)
Looking for Post-Secondary Funding?
Deadlines for post-secondary education funding:
- June 30 (if starting school in September)
- October 30 (if starting school in January)
- February 28 (if starting school in May)
Note: if the deadline falls on a holiday, or a day when the Band Office is closed, the deadline will be the next business day.
Deadline for short term funding: 10 working days prior to the course/program start date
Contact
Lani King, Education Coordinator / Grant Writer
(250) 625-3293 Ext 231 [email protected]