School Principal

Lax Kw'alaams Wap Suwilaawksa is a K–12 community school serving the Lax Kw'alaams area in Canada. Located in the beautiful coastal setting of Lax Kw'alaams, it emphasizes learning both in classrooms and on the land, including beaches and traditional outdoor environments. The school integrates strong academics with Ts’msyen language and culture, alongside athletics and outdoor education programs. This approach fosters confident, capable, and caring students, rooted in a vision established decades ago by community leaders to create an institution grounded in Ts'msyen heritage. Staff includes dedicated teachers across kindergarten through high school subjects such as sciences, math, English, Sm’algyax & Culture, textiles, and band, led by Principal Mark Keating and Vice Principal Kapi Vataiki. The school maintains an active Parent Advisory Committee and is establishing a Kindergarten to Grade 12 School Board to involve community members. As a vibrant learning community under the Lax Kw'alaams Band, it shares updates via telephone, email, social media, and in-person visits, supporting administrative roles like reception to ensure smooth operations.