Coast Funds
750-475 West Georgia St V6B 4M9 Vancouver, BC, Canada

Indigenous coastal communities have been stewards of the... oceans and shores for generations, and are unquestionably vital to Canada’s marine safety system today. The program provides necessary funding and equipment to support their efforts.

"The grizzly bear is an icon in our cultural heritage. It's always been important to work in harmony with them... It's really helping us gain a foothold in taking over the management of grizzly bear interactions in our territories."

"Addressing the biodiversity and climate emergencies facing our planet requires the swift alignment of large conservation area targets with Indigenous land rights and leadership."

[JOB ALERT] The BC First Nations Fisheries Council is hiring a Project Coordinator for their Water for Fish initiative! For job details and how to apply, click the link below.

Through in-depth community consultations, the establishment of the kawatsi Economic Development Corporation reinvigorated the economic heartbeat of a community.

"The stewardship and sustainable economic development efforts of the 27 First Nations whose territories span the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii provide an excellent example of the benefits that can be achieved through protection of lands and waters." McKinsey & Company

K’ómoks First Nation will be working closely with the City of Courtenay on reconciliation efforts. Courtenay is one of the first local governments in B.C. to adopt UNDRIP and will incorporate these principles into planning and decision-making at a municipal level.

After nearly two decades closing the food fishery or limiting the catch, First Nations in the Skeena watershed are starting to see some positive results with salmon populations. (via the The Narwhal)

Did you know First Nations have led 72 projects, with support from Coast Funds, to facilitate the transfer of Elder knowledge to youth?

We recently contributed to a McKinsey & Company report on the benefits of conserving nature, highlighting the incredible impact of First Nations' stewardship and sustainable economic development efforts in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.

Nisga'a language educator, Dianna Rai, is one of fewer than 500 people who speak Nisga'a fluently in #Canada and now her work in helping the next generation to learn the language is being recognized.

"When we look at the evidence that is left behind by our ancestors, it gives us a better understanding of how they lived, and it also helps us fill in the missing pieces of the picture of how we got to where we are now."

Everything we do is for the community. Whatever arises, we arise with the need for the community. Pat Housty, manager of the Waglisla band store, found creative ways to provide for #BellaBella residents when the community’s store was lost to a fire 2013.

Inspiring stories are unfolding across the #GreatBearRainforest and #HaidaGwaii. Sign up for our Talking Stick newsletter to read the latest updates and stories.

Coastal Shellfish, who is owned and operated by Metlakatla First Nation and who produces the sustainably-grown Great Bear Scallops, is the first seafood plant on the north coast to open its doors in about 15 years.

First Nations have leveraged funding to attract new investment in the #GreatBearRainforest and #HaidaGwaii, resulting in a total of $321M invested in the region since 2007.

"It was a win-win for everyone: the operators, our community, the wildlife, the ocean." The Kitasoo/Xai'xais stewardship authority, Spirit Bear Lodge, and local ecotourism operators have cleaned up nearly 130 tonnes of garbage from the Central Coast.

As calls grow to increase funding for #IndigenousGuardians, Coastal First Nations's Business Case study shows the enormous value and impact of these programs between 10:1 and 20:1 annual return-on-investment for communities.

[FUNDING OPPTY] Are you an #Indigenous-led organization or #Indigenous-serving organization? Community Foundations of Canada's Indigenous People’s Resilience Fund provides financial support for projects that are serving Indigenous populations managing the impacts of COVID-19. ... Details below.

Nanwakolas Council has launched a new website! Learn more about the member First Nations of the Nanwakolas Council (Mamalilikulla, Tlowitsis, Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks) and their collective stewardship efforts.