Employment Opportunities
WFN MembeR Platforms
Artwork by Coralee Miller
WFN is proud to stand on the foundation of a matriarchal community, deeply rooted in a rich culture and history. Traditional hierarchical organizational structures often follow a top-down approach to authority, and WFN embraces a different model. Our leadership is decentralized and rooted in consensus, prioritizing collective decision-making and communal stewardship. Every action is taken with community involvement.
We are committed to reclaiming traditional values and rooting our governance in Syilx culture, reconnecting with our cultural roots and ways of life, showing that we have always had, and will continue to have, the strength to guide ourselves independently.
WFN embraces a different model, our leadership is decentralized and rooted in consensus, prioritizing collective decision making and community stewardship. By clicking through to our blog, you may listen to WFN Elder Marion tell the story or read more of how this vision came to life.
Employment & Opportunities
Community Services delivers programs and services that support the well-being of community members. WFN provides exceptional activities, events and attractions while striving to deliver unique and affordable community building experiences for all ages that promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Membership Services strives to be a successful, effective and productive department—with emphasis on the delivery of services for Members. Membership services offer a variety of amenities, some of which are:
(Income Assistance)
The Income Assistance Program is administered by WFN from Federal Government to provide financial support to eligible low income or no income individuals. It is based on many factors such as income, assets, residency, family status, and many other factors to determine eligibility. Program Includes:
Youth -12-18 yrs & Recreation 0-100yrs delivers programs and services to support the well-being of community members, unifying our youth and community through structured programs while providing necessary resources and developing a strong foundation in culture, recreation, leadership & wellness.
Sǝnsisyustǝn is a Group 2 Independent Elementary School with the B.C. Ministry of Education, offering current B.C. curriculum with a foundation of Okanagan/syilx perspectives. Sǝnsisyustǝn provides many programs including:
The Early Years Department is a dynamic, culturally grounded team dedicated to supporting the well-being of Indigenous children, families, and our community. Guided by Syilx values, traditional teachings, and the wisdom of the land, our department empowers families through early intervention, prevention, and education. We honour traditions, cultural teachings, and practices in every aspect of our work, fostering resilience, connection, and a future where every child and family can thrive in an empowered, strong, and safe community. As a provincially licensed Early Years Centre, we provide high-quality, inclusive programming for children from birth to age twelve. Our environments are designed to nurture cultural identity, curiosity, belonging, and joy, ensuring that learning is rooted in both community values and developmental best practices. The Early Years Department hosts a wide range of programs that collectively support healthy development, family empowerment, and cultural safety:
Located within the Early Years Centre, our OSC program offers WFN Members a warm, caring, and predictable environment where children can explore their full potential—physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally. This holistic program celebrates each child’s individuality and fosters connection through friendship, discovery, language, laughter, and compassion. We honour our relationships with one another and the natural world, recognizing that adults and children learn alongside one another in meaningful ways.
Our Family Prevention team represents and supports WFN Members, as well as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families living on-reserve who are involved or at risk of involvement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). Through advocacy, cultural grounding, and community-led approaches, we work to protect family unity, empower parents, and ensure that children remain connected to their identities, families, and Nation.
Guided by the principles of Aboriginal Head Start, our family programs promote culture, language, health, nutrition, education, and community support. These programs create opportunities for families to strengthen their connections, share their gifts, and contribute to a thriving community. All programming is offered within the Early Years Centre and is grounded in the belief that families are the first and most powerful teachers.
The IICD program supports families in accessing individualized services, early intervention supports, and community resources that help their children grow and thrive. With a focus on cultural safety, developmental support, and family empowerment, IICD ensures that families feel supported, informed, and connected throughout their child’s early years.
Together, our programs contribute to the long-term well-being of the Nation by supporting strong family systems, nurturing cultural identity, and creating opportunities for children to grow, learn, and thrive. The Early Years Department remains committed to fostering a community where every child and family feels empowered, respected, and supported.
Education Services provides support and assistance to Members pursuing their education and career goals. This includes Members from elementary school all the way up to post-secondary. The Education Department offers a variety of services including employment services, and:
The Westbank Child Development Centre is a provincially licensed daycare facility that supports and promotes Okanagan/ syilx language and culture, nutrition and health, and school readiness. WCDC’s three most prominent programs are:
The Council Secretariat plays a central role in supporting governance, legislative processes, and organizational accountability at Westbank First Nation (WFN).
Designated under the WFN Constitution, the Council Secretariat provides leadership across several functional areas, including Law Enforcement, Records and Information Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Residential Tenancy, and Policy Development.
WFN Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) support community safety through education, compliance, and enforcement of Westbank First Nation laws. As designated peace officers, LEOs work proactively to promote awareness and understanding of WFN legislation, helping Members, residents, and businesses maintain compliance and contribute to a safe and respectful community.
LEOs collaborate with internal departments and external partners, including the RCMP First Nations Unit, which provides policing services for criminal matters and emergencies. Through enforcement activities, community outreach, and education initiatives, LEOs play an important role in supporting WFN’s self-governance and legislative framework.
Residential Tenancy supports positive and respectful landlord–tenant relationships on WFN lands through administration of the Residential Premises Law. Services include education, guidance, and dispute resolution support to help prevent and address tenancy-related issues, ensure compliance with WFN legislation, and facilitate formal arbitration processes when required.
Records and Information Management (RIM) ensures the integrity, security, and accessibility of WFN records throughout their lifecycle—from creation and storage to retention and final disposition. The function supports effective governance through secure information management, digital records access, privacy protection, and continuous improvement of business processes and policies.
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) promotes a safe and healthy workplace environment across WFN. Key areas of focus include hazard identification, awareness and prevention, incident reporting, training, and continuous improvement initiatives that support employee wellbeing and organizational safety standards
Economic Development supports WFN’s long-term economic self-sufficiency by strengthening relationships with more than 650 on-reserve businesses, attracting investment that aligns with community values, and coordinating business retention and expansion initiatives. The department provides guidance to new and existing businesses, collaborates with regional partners on economic planning and investment attraction, and contributes to community projects involving public spaces and infrastructure. Through the Economic Development Commission, the department conducts structured business engagement, such as Business Walks and networking events, to gather input, assess the local business climate, and support a thriving and competitive business environment for WFN Members, businesses, and partners.
The WFN Financial Services Department performs various financial and accounting functions including: cash receipts, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, payroll, property taxation, utilities billing, financial analysis, budgeting, and financial reporting. Over and above everyday transactions, key deliverables include completion of WFN’s annual audit, providing monthly financial updates to Council, and providing recommendations to enable WFN to most efficiently reach its strategic objectives. Financial Services works to deliver the best possible service to all its stakeholders including WFN Members, non - Member residents, local businesses, and to WFN departments and employees. As WFN sets the standard for self-governing First Nations, Financial Services works to set the standard in financial accountability.
The Taxation Department ensures the collection of taxes on WFN Lands. Property taxes paid to WFN are used for services and facilities that benefit the community, such as fire protection, law enforcement, sanitation, etc. As a result, residents have access to these tax-paid services and have input into proposed laws that directly and significantly affect them as represented by the Advisory Council. Services paid for by taxes fall into one of five categories: Local Services, Parks & Recreation, Community Development, Protective Services or Administrative Services.
The IT department ensures WFN employees stay connected and secure by delivering dependable technological solutions and expert support. These services empower staff to leverage technology effectively, helping to achieve WFN’s CCP goals. The top services provided by IT are:
The Budget & Financial Reporting Department at WFN is similar to working on a unique and challenging puzzle every day. Many of the pieces fit together in a specific manner to achieve success. Budgeting is an annual event and as a result, the work is never quite completed and the puzzle gets rebuilt the following year. Financial reporting is an ongoing task and an important component in ensuring that WFN is meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to membership and other stakeholders. Sound budgeting and financial reporting practices ensure the organization is using its financial assets efficiently to achieve its strategic goals, maintain operational excellence and plan for the future.
The Purchasing Department at WFN is responsible for acquiring goods and services as well as managing the disposal of surplus materials in an ethically professional and cost-effective manner. This department acquires procurements in accordance with the current annual budget, WFN laws and by-laws, and employee purchasing procedures. WFN’s purchasing policy ensures that the process of procuring goods and services is accountable and transparent. WFN’s purchasing policy includes, but is not limited to, Professional Ethics and Confidentiality & Accuracy of Information.
The Accounting Department has an assortment of duties and responsibilities that enforce accountability through strong internal controls and adherence to all laws, standards and policies. Accounting includes payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable and financial reporting.
The Funding department is responsible for identifying, securing, and managing external funding that supports WFN programs, services, and strategic initiatives. This role plays a key part in advancing community priorities by aligning funding opportunities with WFN’s goals, values, and long-term vision.
WFN’s Health and Wellness provides direction for the delivery of health care and wellness-related programs for Westbank First Nation (WFN) community members. The Health and Wellness department strives to deliver and continually work to improve health and wellness programs in response to internal and community feedback while continually measuring progress and evaluating success.
Health and Wellness aims to promote a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally, through increased self-awareness and holistic approaches to personal wellbeing. A few of its many services include:
Visit Health & Wellness Programs & Services to learn more.
Human Resources is a fast-paced, ever-evolving department committed to upholding WFN’s core values of equality, honesty, respect, fairness, and understanding—guided at all times by Sqilxʷ Cawt – The Way of the People. WFN’s recruitment and people practices honour the WFN Constitution and increasingly incorporates traditional approaches, including the involvement of Elders and cultural teachings.
Human Resources serves as a strategic partner to all departments, ensuring workforce is supported, developed, and aligned with the growing needs of WFN government and community. Meaningful career and training pathways are created for WFN Members, staff, and the broader community, as well as initiatives that strengthen cultural safety and belonging in the workplace.
Administration performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with WFN’s policies, standards and procedures. Administration not only provides incomparable client care but also trains and develops Administrative Support staff in all areas in order to give entry level staff the opportunity to gain experience and move into other departments. A few of their many duties include:
Cash Desk takes payments both on-site, over the phone and online for all WFN charges such as taxes, pet licenses, Development fees, Utilities, Daycare, AR accounts and more. All Department charges flow through the main cashier. The Cashier provides backup to Utilities and processes all Museum and Community Services transactions. The Cashier works directly with AP, AR and our Financial Analysts in order to reconcile all WFN bank accounts. The main Cashier and back up Administrators provide support to our tax department during our very busy tax season.
IGA is responsible for relations with all levels and types of government, ranging from municipalities to Canada and including other Indigenous self-governments. IGA oversees treaty negotiations, self-government implementation, additions to reserve, and other inter-governmental relationships or agreements. IGA also manages and/or participates in community-based research to strengthen syilx cultural identity and demonstrate land use.
Westbank First Nation, as part of the Okanagan Nation Alliances, has Aboriginal Title (inherent right) to the traditional territory of syilx Okanagan people referred to as the Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Canadian legal system recognizes Aboriginal Title as a unique collective right to the use of and jurisdiction over an Indigenous group’s ancestral territories. As the caretakers and environmental stewards, WFN must be engaged on any project that affects Westbank lands and/or resources. Through the Referral Directive Process, WFN exercises its right to be consulted and to provide feedback or direction on all development and resource utilization activities within the AOR. When necessary to advance or demonstrate syilx Title and Rights, WFN uses negotiation, litigation, and direct-action strategies.
Sncəwips is responsible for protecting, preserving and sharing the cultural identity and history of the syilx Okanagan people. The department stewards WFN’s cultural and archival collections, repatriation work, community knowledge, and the Sncəwips Gift Shop, ensuring cultural materials and programming are preserved responsibly and made accessible to Members, the syilx Nation and to the broader public as appropriate. Sncəwips delivers research, exhibitions, public programming, land-based learning, and community events that support intergenerational teaching and cultural continuity.
Sncəwips houses WFN’s Culture and Language Department, which provides language revitalization programming, recordings, community-based cultural initiatives, and the Braided Knowledge program. The department supports language learning for all ages, advances the development of digital and physical language learning tools, and works closely with Elders and knowledge keepers to strengthen and transmit cultural knowledge. Sncəwips is committed to creating welcoming, meaningful cultural experiences that promote identity, learning, and long-term cultural growth for future generations.
WFN’s archaeological research is a part of a Title & Rights’ study supporting the referral process. All archaeological work is specific to proposed development within WFN’s governance area and is funded through proposed development opportunities. Archaeological research contributes to WFN’s understanding as well as the community’s understanding of the long-term existence of First Nation people in Westbank’s Area of Responsibility.
Planning & development plays a central role in economic, social and cultural development through a technical and political process concerned with the development of land. The ongoing planning and coordination of development ensures that projects are sustainable, environmentally sound, and align with the short and long term vision established by our community. WFN Planning and Development prepares land use plans, zoning regulations, laws and policies, and provides professional assistance with all aspects of the development process.
The Lands Office carries out duties and responsibilities delegated or assigned under Part XI-Land Rules of the Westbank First Nation Constitution. Under Part XI we have a Registry where interests and instruments which affect, or purport to affect, Westbank Lands shall be registered or recorded in the Lands Register. These instruments include Leases, Subleases, Mortgages, Allotments, etc. The Westbank Lands Registry is federally regulated, enacted under the authority of the WFN Self Government Act, and sets out a system of land registration establishing priorities via online registration. These regulations work in conjunction with the Land Rules.
Engineering is responsible for the design, construction, and improvement of Westbank First Nation infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, street lighting, potable water systems, sanitary sewer systems, storm systems, and active transportation. WFN collaborates with the City of Kelowna, the City of West Kelowna, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan on a range of initiatives related to transportation, regional growth strategies, water systems, sewer treatment, storm systems, and the environment. Engineering has many short- and long-term objectives related to capital projects and land development. Staff strive to provide exceptional support services to ensure contracts and contractors are following community laws, policies, and industry best practices, and that they are delivering the best value to residents and visitors for public assets.
Public Works & Utilities manages critical infrastructure on WFN Lands. Public Works oversees road /sidewalk construction and maintenance including signage and bus stops, pavement maintenance, and drainage systems to ensure transportation safety and effective stormwater control.
WFN Utilities delivers potable water and wastewater services in compliance with provincial standards. Utilities Operators hold certifications from Level I to Level III through the Environmental Operators Certification Program and the BC Water and Wastewater Association and best practices for sustainability and environmental protection are integrated into all operations.
Housing and Property Administration oversees the management of WFN’s real estate assets such as Sǝnsisyustǝn, the Health & Wellness building, the Elders Hall and many more. Property Administration also facilitates day-to-day tasks related to leasing, operations, and management. The Housing Department provides housing options to Members by determining short and long term needs, as well as prioritizing community lands suitable for housing development.