My thoughts on the teacher recruitment for the town of Fort Ware and how remote Indigenous communities struggle to retain essential services and workers.

The school in Fort Ware, B.C. – K-12 in one.

The team from Fort Ware came to show us their beautiful town and make the block one teacher candidates aware of remote opportunities for teaching in small communities. They offer a competitive salary, living quarters, one-year short contracts, and transportation to and from the town on holidays. They keep the contracts year-by-year so that the teacher has the opportunity to leave; or if they are not the right fit for the small community, they will not renew their contract.

I grew up in Lillooet, BC which at the time I thought was small. My graduating class of 2005 had 45 graduates and my brother’s 2024 had now 24. Small towns are struggling to find people to work in them, especially essential workers like teachers and healthcare professionals. These towns still have people and need these services fulfilled.

Remote living is not for everyone. Lillooet had Vancouver just four hours away. However, it did not have any type of public transportation services to get out of town. Fort Ware is also only accessible by car and during the winter only by plane. This town has had to build their public services. The Indigenous communities have had to build their education, fire department, police department, etc. Their tight community is important to them and having the right person to teach their children is imperative to them!

I believe a year in a community like Fort Ware would be an amazing experience. For me, it would not be a place I would like to settle in for the rest of my life. However, even spending a year in a small community has lasting impacts for decades. It is important to always remember you are a guest to that community and your impression will last there way longer than it would last for you. Whatever we say or do makes a mark in those lives. Make sure that if you ever visit or educate students in a small community, you have the best intentions and you are ready to immerse yourself in their culture. You can show them yours but it is their land and their customs that are important there for them to continue to flourish even after you leave.

Fort Ware, B.C. Location on the red pin. Sometimes only accessible by plane.