Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Carvers Uphold Millennia-Old Traditions
First Nations carvers are working with wilkw / k ̓ wa’x̱ tłu Large Cultural Cedar to create cultural works, like an ocean-going xwax’wa̱na, that celebrate the revival of traditions.
After a forced relocation separated the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations from their homelands, the creation of a Guardian Watchmen program is helping strengthen the Nations’ stewardship practices and cultural connections.
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This year, First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii were recognized for their leadership in stewarding their lands and waters, strengthening governance and partnerships, and revitalizing languages and cultural traditions. Nations ratified new treaties and constitutions, advanced Indigenous-led conservation financing, expanded Guardian and stewardship programs, and led historic clean-energy transitions. Communities also
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Khasalus Kolten Grant is a multidisciplinary artist with family ties to the Musgamagw Dzawadaenuxw, Kwakiutl, Tlowitsis, Squamish, and N’Quatqua St’at’imc Nations. He works across a range of artistic practices including cedar wood carving, silver jewelry making, digital art, printmaking, and painting. His mentors include Klatle-Bhi Charles Sam, Kevin Cranmer, Phil Gray, and the late Richard
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In December, Coast Funds’ office space at 475 West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver will be available for lease, following Coast Funds’ relocation to a new office in November. Address: 750 – 475 West Georgia Street Vancouver, BC V6B 4M9 “This location has been a warm and welcoming hub for our team to collaborate and
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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
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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) and Raven Stierle (Stewardship Funding Specialist) who will support participating
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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