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“Now we can start to deliver on our dream of having a big presence on our territories, just like our ancestors did." - Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation Chief Councillor Rick Johnson
A historic agreement is bringing new funding to the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation.
The Hith'alis Agreement, a partnership between the B.C. government, KHFN and Coast Funds, provides $721,000 to enhance stewardship and management activities in KHFN territory in the Broughton Archipelago.
This partnership is being realized through an endowment created at Coast Funds. The endowment will allow KHFN to increase stewardship activities across its territory, including:
- increasing the capacity to implement ecosystem-based management;
- contributing towards enhancing key salmon watersheds;
- providing the opportunity for KHFN members to access local, family-supporting employment based out of Gwa-yas-dums (Gilford Island);
- and increasing KHFN’s active presence throughout the territory through a Guardian Watchmen program.
The newly endowed funds will facilitate KHFN’s access to sustainable, self-determined stewardship finance.
“Having stewarded its lands and waters for millennia, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation hold inherent rights and responsibilities to care for its territories,” said Brodie Guy, CEO, Coast Funds. “We’re honoured to partner with Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation as it builds its source of permanent and sustainable stewardship revenue.”
As with KHFN, other First Nations are engaging Coast Funds to develop and grow endowed stewardship funds. Learn more about First Nations-led fundraising here.
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Coast Funds is partnering with First Nations to build and invest their endowed funds to sustainably finance stewardship authorities for generations to come.
While the last decade since Coast Funds’ inception has seen many successes, there is so much more to do. First Nations across the coast have made it clear: diversified and self-determined revenue is required to build and sustain resilient self-governing stewardship.
We are responding to First Nations’ call-to-action to strengthen stewardship finance in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. Together, we are fundraising and harnessing Coast Funds’ strong investment performance to bring stewardship visions to life.
Learn about our services supporting First Nations-led fundraising, and how Coast Funds works with First Nations, investing at scale to build First Nations' endowed funds.
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In the midst of a global pandemic, you might be more likely to hear news about a business closing than opening, but the Nisg̱a’ Village of Gitwinksihlkw is forging ahead on its business development, working around the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Near the end of 2020, the Village announced the opening of the Welcome House Café and Gift Shop. The business is operated by Nisg̱a’a entrepreneur Sally Nyce and will be one of the few places to dine out in the beautiful Nass Valley.
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An upcoming documentary by Nuxalk filmmaker Banchi Hanuse shines a spotlight on the sputc eulachon—a fish essential to the cultural and physical well-being of the Nuxalk—and features research by Coast Funds’ director and Nuxalk scientist Ts'xwiixw Megan Moody.
Hanuse’s film is still in production. It brings a diverse experience of live action, animation, archival images, ancestral stories, and songs. Sputc: We Shall Eat When the River is Full is a cinematic tale of wealth, loss, and recovery.
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Coast Funds is accepting new applications from participating First Nations for our current round of funding until July 16, 2021. If you have a conservation initiative or a sustainable business project or expansion in mind, please get in touch with us as early as possible if you plan to apply.
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