The Lakehead District School Board in Thunder Bay is inviting Indigenous students to apply for the position of Indigenous Student Trustee for the 2026-2028 term. Applications for the leadership role must be submitted to a Student Activity Council staff advisor at the applicant’s secondary school by 4:30 PM on May 1, 2026.
To be eligible, students must be Canadian citizens who reside within the jurisdiction of the school board. Candidates must self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit and be enrolled as full-time students in the senior division or as exceptional pupils in special education. Each secondary school may submit one application for consideration.
The position serves as a voice for all students at the board level, with a specific focus on ensuring Indigenous perspectives are represented. The role is part of the board’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. About 20 per cent of students in the district voluntarily self-identify as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.
Once selected, the student trustee participates in board meetings and serves on various committees, such as the Miiniwewinan Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, the Equity and Inclusive Education Committee, and the Special Education Advisory Committee. While they cannot vote on motions, they are permitted to suggest them and help guide discussions on board issues.
The board first created the Indigenous Student Trustee position in 2019 to better support its student population. The current trustee, Eryn Genno, noted that the role provides a way to gain leadership experience while helping students connect with their cultural heritage. The position remains a core part of the board’s strategic plan, which prioritizes belonging, student success, and reconciliation.
