Haida Rediscovery camps are revitalizing Haida culture and creating the next generation of leaders to care for and sustain the lands and waters of Haida Gwaii.
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In the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, First Nations’ investments in the conservation economy, supported by a $60-million Economic Development Fund, have contributed $808 million to provincial GDP and netted $1.77 billion in gross economic output. These findings, supported by independent analysis and released in a new report – Building a Conservation Economy –
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New address: Coast Funds 800 – 925 W Georgia St Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3L2 Over the past few years, Coast Funds has grown its team to support First Nations’ priorities, including the Great Bear Sea PFP, and our new office will have space for our team to collaborate and host First Nations and partners.
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In October, First Nations leaders – including Hereditary and elected Chiefs, business leaders, and representatives from Nation’ economic development corporations – gathered in Vancouver for the Great Bear Rainforest Economic Summit, a conference marking more than 15 years of collective investment in sustainable businesses, infrastructure, and economic development on the coast. Participating First Nations have
Along the Nass River, Nisg̱a’a Nation is using fishwheels annually to collect baseline data on salmon populations, helping to ensure food security and economic prosperity for their citizens.
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First Nations working to manage their territories and invest in their communities may be eligible to apply for funding from Crown governments, philanthropic foundations, and corporate community investment programs. And, through Coast Funds, participating First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii may have funding available for stewardship, conservation, and economic development projects in addition
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On September 10, Tlowitsis Nation hosted a small open house in their new community, Nenagwas, which translates from Kwak̓wala to “a place to come home to.” The open house welcomed guests from the federal and provincial governments, contractors, sector partners, and local non-profits that played a part in the development of Nenagwas. In 2018, Tlowitsis
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Coast Funds has grown its team to build capacity to deliver new funding through the Great Bear Sea PFP and to enhance services for all the First Nations we serve. In recent weeks, Coast Funds has welcomed three new staff members: Landon Gilmour (Finance Manager), Michael Fobister (Economic Development Analyst), and Raven Stierle (Stewardship Funding
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Over the summer and fall of 2025, yáqʷa Development Corporation (x̄á’isla Nation’s economic development corporation) will carry out a series of extensive renovations of Gizuá Market, previously known as Sunrise General Merchandise. Located in Kitamaat Village in x̄á’isla Haisla territory, the market and restaurant space will offer upgraded amenities for x̄á’isla’s community and visitors. As
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Through an incubator program, Wuikinuxv Nation is partnering with Coast Funds and the Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA) to assess the feasibility of conservation finance mechanisms that could generate long-term revenue for the Nation’s salmon and watershed priorities. This project was recently awarded seed funding and project support through the CFA’s 2025 Incubator cohort, announced in
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With the grand opening of the Ocean House at Tlaga G̲áwtlaas, located in the north end of X̱aadáa Gwáay | X̱aada Gwaay.yaay* Haida Gwaii, on June 1, Haida Tourism celebrated a major milestone in its shift towards ecotourism and cultural tourism. Haida Tourism is one of three businesses operated by Haida Enterprise Corporation (HaiCo). Ocean
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Over three days in June, in lək̓ʷəŋən territory Victoria, hundreds of Guardians gathered with their family members and supporters for the sixth annual First Nations National Guardian Gathering — an event grounded in community, culture, and shared commitment to stewardship. Attendees heard from Guardians leading stewardship programs across their territories, with topics ranging from restoring
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Indigenous communities have been leading environmental stewardship for millennia using Traditional Knowledge that inherently protects the planet’s biodiversity. Using the project finance for permanence (PFP) model, Indigenous communities are securing lasting protections for sensitive ecosystems and long-term financing to sustain stewardship, Guardian programs, conservation efforts, and community-led economic development. In Canada, four groups of Indigenous
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After more than a decade of ongoing conservation research, a wild sockeye salmon monitoring program run by Haíɫzaqv Heiltsuk Nation has been awarded the Innovative Community or Organization Award by the First Nations Technology Council. The award recognizes years of innovative research by the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department (HIRMD) crew members who work at
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Visitors can have life-changing experiences and fully embrace First Nations culture through Indigenous-owned tourism businesses. Tourism can benefit Indigenous communities by creating employment, linking young people to the land, and honouring traditional knowledge and practices. Explore a variety of Indigenous-owned tourism businesses, including luxury resorts and wildlife tours. JUMP TO: North-Coast Skeena | Nisg̱a’a Lands
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In partnership with Coast Funds, First Nations invested nearly $7.8 million in conservation, stewardship, and economic development projects over the last year. And, in a landmark agreement, 17 First Nations worked with Crown governments and private funders to secure $335 million in long-term financing for the Great Bear Sea PFP. Download Annual Report> Celebrating First
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Coast Funds is growing its team to build capacity to deliver new funding through the Great Bear Sea PFP and to enhance services for all the First Nations we serve. In recent weeks, Coast Funds has welcomed three new staff members: Aimee Nygaard (Development Manager), Logan Griffiths (Communications Specialist), and Jessi Goss (Executive Administrator), who
On the North Coast, Ts’msyen fishers are trialling a more flexible approach to commercial fishery management.
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The Haida Nation’s long journey to affirm their title to Haida Gwaii has reached a historic milestone. With the signing of the Chiix̲uujin | Chaaw K̲aawgaa “Big Tide (Low Water)” Haida Title Lands Agreement on February 17. The Government of Canada has, for the first time, recognized Aboriginal title through negotiation rather than litigation. This
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First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii made headlines in 2024 for their groundbreaking achievements in environmental stewardship, economic development, sustainable energy, and cultural revitalization. This year marked significant progress in Indigenous rights and conservation. Nations advanced treaty and title agreements, declared new protected areas, and invested in coastal communities and economic
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On the north coast of modern-day British Columbia, the Gitxaała (alongside the Ts’msyen, Nisg̱a’a, and Haida) have welcomed guests to their territories for thousands of years. With the acquisition of the Crest Hotel, a Prince Rupert landmark, the Gitxaała are continuing that tradition in a modern way, while also creating economic opportunity in the community.
