Aboriginal Rights and Title Manager

Seabird Island Band; Agassiz; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health benefits

Pension plan with employer matching

Paid vacation and sick time

Professional development opportunities

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Seabird Island Band is seeking an Aboriginal Rights & Title Manager to lead the protection and advancement of rights, title, and self-governance for traditional lands and resources. Working in the Inter-Government Affairs team, you will influence policy, negotiate with governments, and collaborate with Indigenous communities to support sustainable decision-making.

Based in Agassiz, BC, this full-time, in-office role focuses on strategic leadership across rights, land and resource management,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Indigenous Governance, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Public Administration.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in Indigenous governance or related fields.
• Advanced knowledge of Aboriginal rights, title, and self-governance including relevant case law and legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee Rights & Title, Natural Resources, Referrals, and Language Revitalization portfolios.
• Review referrals and land use proposals to protect community interests.
• Represent Seabird Island in negotiations with governments, industry, and stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice to Chief and Council on rights, title, and resource management.
• Develop policies and strategies to strengthen self-governance and community capacity.
• Oversee natural resource initiatives and environmental stewardship.
• Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing team while managing budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiations

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Policy development

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Indigenous Governance, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Public Administration

Job description

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Seabird Island Band Office, Agassiz, BC

Status: In Office

Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 - 4:30 pm.

Salary: Starting from $49.95 an hour – Depending on skills and experiences.

About Us:

Seabird Island is committed to creating culturally safe, inclusive workplaces grounded in Indigenous knowledge, values, and ways of being. We support a diverse range of teams across Seabird and are dedicated to fostering healthy workplaces, strong leadership, and meaningful employee experiences.

About the Role:

As the Aboriginal Rights & Title Manager, you will lead the protection and advancement of Seabird Island’s Aboriginal rights, title, and self-governance while helping shape the future of our traditional lands, waters, and resources. Working within the Inter-Government Affairs team, you will provide strategic leadership across rights and title, natural resources, referrals, and language revitalization initiatives, while building strong relationships with governments, industry partners, and Indigenous communities. This role plays a key part in ensuring community interests, cultural values, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability remain at the forefront of decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee Seabird Island's Rights & Title, Natural Resources, Referrals, and Language Revitalization portfolios.
• Review and assess development referrals, projects, and land use proposals to ensure alignment with community interests and priorities.
• Represent Seabird Island in negotiations, consultations, and partnerships with governments, industry, and external stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice and recommendations to Chief and Council, leadership, and internal teams on rights, title, and resource management matters.
• Develop and implement policies, agreements, and strategies that strengthen self-governance, jurisdiction, and community capacity.
• Oversee fisheries, wildlife, environmental stewardship, and natural resource initiatives that support sustainable land and resource management.
• Lead, mentor, and support staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team environment.
• Manage departmental budgets, program performance, reporting, and resource allocation.
• Support Indigenous language revitalization efforts through community-centered programs, partnerships, and educational initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships that advance Seabird Island’s long-term social, cultural, environmental, and economic interests.

*A full job description is available upon candidates request.*

About You:

You are a strategic and collaborative leader with experience in Indigenous governance, rights and title, natural resource management, or a related field. You bring strong knowledge of Aboriginal rights, consultation, land and resource management, and have demonstrated success leading negotiations, partnerships, and multidisciplinary teams. You are an effective communicator who values relationship building, informed decision-making, and culturally grounded approaches that support community priorities and self-determination. We want to hear from you!

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree Law, Indigenous Governance, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Public Administration, or a related field. We also recognize and value cultural knowledge and experience gained through other forms of education and training, including teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership experience in Indigenous governance, natural resource management, environmental stewardship, or related fields.
• Advanced knowledge of Aboriginal rights, title, and self-governance, including relevant case law and legislation.
• Certification or training in project management, policy development, or resource management is an asset.
• Proven experience leading negotiations, agreements, and partnerships with governments, industry, and other stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience supervising teams
• High-level analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving abilities.

Why Work with Us:

• extended health and dental benefits
• a pension plan with employer matching
• paid vacation and sick time
• professional development opportunities
• and a collaborative team environment

Join an organization that values community, inclusion, cultural learning, and employee growth while making a meaningful impact across multiple organizations and communities.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pre-Employment Screening

Seabird Island is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize and value the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that Indigenous people bring to our team. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous people. Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights Code, preference may be given to applicants of First Nations, Métis, or Inuit heritage. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in Canada; however, we are not able to sponsor visas.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.