Job Opportunity: First Nations Cultural Interpreter – Small Ship Expedition in the Gulf Islands.
Contract Dates: April 14-18, 2026
What is Maple Leaf Adventures?
With a commitment to eco-tourism principles, our high-quality adventures provide special access to the wildlife, landscapes, culture, and nature of the coast, while also providing the excitement of an adventure by ship. Our expedition ships are also heritage pieces themselves.
Our mid-April Canadian Geographic Salish Sea Expedition is an exploration of the region aboard our restored tugboat Swell, with up to 10 guests. This trip offers guests a unique way to see and understand the region differently by exploring the history and culture, through storytelling, place names, and other interpretation by an Indigenous special resource person.
What Is the Role?
Role:
- The cultural resource interpreter must be from a local First Nation and have connections to the islands in the Salish Sea.
- The interpreter will travel on board Swell with guests, and support shore trips to provide local and cultural perspectives on the region. Any areas where you have expertise would be wonderful to share, such as clam gardens, and other cultural knowledge.
- All our guides and interpreters are paid a competitive daily rate of $225/day- $300/day depending on experience, plus gratuities.
- All transportation to and from the ship, meals and snacks, and accommodation on board are included.
- This role is supported by our friendly and professional crew of five, including chef, captain, steward/deckhand, mate/guide, and naturalist Briony Penn.
Responsibilities:
- Provide 2 to 4 presentations or stories that inspire and inform and connect guests to the area they are travelling through.
- Be available for conversation with guests while under way.
- Provide some interpretation while on shore trips. You may have certain places you wish to specifically visit and share, which can be prearranged with the captain.
- You would also have some time each day for quiet time to recharge as needed.
If you are someone who enjoys talking to people and sharing history, stories and culture of the area, this could be a great opportunity for you. Note that during shore trips you may need to walk on rocky shorelines and other uneven terrain, including stepping in and out of zodiacs from the deck, etc.
The Ship: Swell – 88-foot Converted Tug Boat
Built in Vancouver in 1912, Swell has served communities as a workboat for 92 years. Converted for 12 guests in 6 private cabins, all with ensuite heads and showers. Comfortable, handsome, boutique.
Trip Details
This trip starts and ends in Sidney, and winds through the Gulf Islands. We take guests in zodiacs to explore locations on shore 2 or 3 times each day with the naturalist and interpreter. At night Swell anchors out in quiet anchorages.
If 4 nights is too long a time to be away for you, we are open to work with you on a shorter stay aboard the ship. Please contact us even if you can only do a day or partial day – we would love to connect with you to see what could work. There is potential for this to be a regular annual contract opportunity.
To Apply for this position please reach out to robyn@mapleleafadventures.com
No need for a formal cover letter or resume, we aim to make this position accessible and feel a conversation with you will be the best way forward.
