Real Estate Foundation of BC

03/24/2026

Today (March 24) is your last chance to access early bird pricing for Local Government Management Association of British Columbia's Local Government Land Use Planning Regional Workshop, May 5-7 in Lheidli T'enneh territory in Prince George.

This unique offering is designed to foster collaboration between local governments and First Nations, with a focus on land use frameworks under DRIPA. To register: https://ow.ly/ksB850Yx3RS

Tomorrow, March 24, is your last chance to receive early bird pricing for the Local Government Land Use Planning Regional Workshop. This 2.5-day workshop, May 5-7 in Lheidli T'enneh territory in Prince George, is designed to foster collaboration between local governments and First Nations, with a focus on land use frameworks under DRIPA.

“The workshop was very informative and helped broaden my understanding of the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing when seeking to build relationships between First Nations and local governments. I felt that the variety of speakers, workshop content, and peer-to-peer collaboration opportunities provided were invaluable for professional development.”
- 2025 Participant.

In collaboration with the First Nations Public Service Secretariat and with support of the Fraser Basin Council. https://ow.ly/ksB850Yx3RS

03/16/2026

West Moberly First Nations plans to use geothermal energy to heat a greenhouse so they can grow crops like 🍅 tomatoes and 🫑 peppers during subzero winters.

Read about this bold move toward food sovereignty in The Narwhal's "Generating Futures" series, exploring clean energy innovations among B.C. First Nations.

In northeast B.C., fresh food is scarce. West Moberly First Nations is turning to an underground clean-energy solution

02/25/2026

In preparation for the 2026 Land Awards, we've launched a new site for the event. Get inspired by past winners and finalists, and see the celebrations over the years. Don't wait to nominate an exceptional leader or project for this year's awards! 📆 The deadline is next Thursday, March 5

The Land Awards recognize projects and leaders that create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities across BC.

02/13/2026

Reciprocity Trusts is a nonprofit that offers settlers a way to honour and value these relationships and the local First Nations’ stewardship of the lands and waters. Residents and business owners can opt into an explicit and intentional process of wealth redistribution by contributing to a regional trust. Homeowners are invited to contribute the equivalent of 1% of their monthly property taxes and businesses 1% of their monthly revenue, though the amount is ultimately up to each contributor.

Trusts launched its first regional trust, the South Island Indigenous Reciprocity Trust, in 2023. The member nations share the revenue equally, regardless of each nation’s population, a gesture of naut’sa mawt, the Hul’q’umi’num’ phrase which means “one heart and mind.”

1. Rose Henry, a Coast Salish educator and activist, shares her enthusiasm about Reciprocity Trusts.
2. Sarah Reid, Executive Director, presents Andrea Thomas and Millie Modeste of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation with their annual contribution of funds from the South Island Indigenous Reciprocity Trust.

02/10/2026

On the coast of north Vancouver Island, the six nations that comprise the Nanwakolas Council have developed a partnership with BC Marine Trails Network to educate non-Indigenous paddlers to respect First Nations rights and to paddle in a good way. The BCMT has a long history of collaboration and trust with the Nanwakolas Council, particularly with the Mamalilikulla First Nation.

BCMT and the nations are working together to educate paddlers on their responsibilities on Indigenous territories. One of BCMT’s strategic priorities is to disrupt conventions around marine recreation and mold them to align with First Nation’s protocols and practices, creating culturally informed resources for paddlers to learn from.

Read more about the ongoing partnership between the BCMT and the Nanwakolas Council on our blog: https://refbc.ca/tools-for-paddling-with-respect-along-the-bc-coast/

02/06/2026

The Real Estate Foundation of BC’s staff and Board of Governors is thrilled to welcome Ginger Gosnell-Myers as our newest governor!

“I’m honoured to join the Board of the Real Estate Foundation of BC at a time when thoughtful governance and long-term stewardship of land are more important than ever,” says Ginger. “Indigenous knowledge offers critical guidance for how we steward land, make decisions, and create lasting public benefit, and I look forward to contributing to REFBC’s leadership in advancing reconciliation and community-centred approaches across British Columbia.”

From the Nisga’a and Kwakwak’awakw Nations, Ginger is a nationally recognized leader advancing Indigenous rights, knowledge, and governance through public policy, urban planning, and institutional change. Her work focuses on designing new engagement and decision-making processes with local First Nations and urban Indigenous communities, ensuring Indigenous knowledge is meaningfully embedded in capital, infrastructure, and land-based initiatives.

Says REFBC’s CEO, Mark Gifford. “We’re looking forward to [Ginger] sharing her leadership and governance experience, particularly in the context of advancing Indigenous rights and knowledge.”

01/14/2026

🌟 Nominations are OPEN for the 2026 Land Awards! 🌟 Celebrate the people and projects protecting the lands and waters we love and creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities in BC.

Submit your nomination today and help us recognize outstanding leadership in land use, conservation, and climate resilience: landawards.com/nominate

There are 5 award categories for projects:

⭐️ Land Use and Conservation
⭐️ Fresh Water
⭐️ Built Environment
⭐️ Food Sovereignty
⭐️ Real Estate

There are 2 categories for individuals:

⭐️ Land Champion
⭐️ Emerging Leader

The deadline for nominations is March 5, 2026.

01/13/2026

We are thrilled to announce that last week, Lou-ann Neel joined our team as the Director of Grants and Community Initiatives.

Lou-ann is from the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwak’wala-speaking people). Originally from Alert Bay, BC, she has lived and worked much of her life in the lands of the Lekwungen, also known as Victoria, BC. She brings extensive leadership experience from senior roles with First Nations, public sector, non-profit, and philanthropic organizations. She is also an accomplished and practicing visual artist.

In her most recent role as Indigenous Lead at , Lou-ann was responsible for the design and launch of a new program sponsored by Rogers Group of Funds to support Indigenous filmmakers and drive the advancement and growth of this province’s creative industries with a focus on emerging Indigenous filmmakers.

Says Lou-ann, “I am excited to join this wonderful team of professionals who are doing excellent in support of communities around the province; and I am thankful to the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil- Waututh peoples for the opportunity to live and work in the lands of their Ancestors.”

As Lou-ann steps into this new role, we’d like to extend our sincere and utmost gratitude to Senior Grants Manager Jen McCaffrey who stepped into the role of Acting Director from February – December 2025. Her steady and warm-hearted leadership has been essential through several transitions in the past year. Jen leads with remarkable care and dedication that have laid a strong foundation for Lou-ann’s success at REFBC.

Photo: Jamie Poh

12/18/2025

As we approach the holiday season and the end of year, all of us at REFBC want to share our best wishes to you and yours.

We also stand with First Nations leaders and communities who have worked for generations to secure recognition of their inherent rights and title, and to care for their enduring relationship to these lands.

This journey can feel uncertain and uncomfortable at times, but those challenges are no reason to turn back or change course when the gifts don’t show up exactly as you expected.

So this is also a New Year’s wish: for all of us who sometimes need an extra measure of courage, curiosity, and humility to embrace what lies ahead.

For more REFBC news, see our latest e-newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/refbc/winter-2025

Photo: Ryan Dickie

12/03/2025

Some of the most sustainable and durable climate solutions come from community. We're looking forward to this online discussion on Thursday about Indigenous-led energy sovereignty and fostering a just transition. Registration is free.

11/24/2025

Interested in applying for funding via our General Grants intake in January 2026?

Before you apply, we encourage you to attend a webinar with REFBC staff on January 13 or 15, 2026. It’s an opportunity to learn about our funding priorities and the application process, connect with grants program staff, and ask questions.

To register and review eligibility requirements, visit: https://refbc.ca/general-grants-webinars/

11/19/2025

Our first annual Transformative Actions for UNDRIP Advancement Progress Report is now live, and contains stunning work by artist Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun: https://refbc.ca/taua-2025/

We invite you to read the report and share your reflections. What inspires you? What gives you pause? Comment below or reach out to [email protected].

©️Artwork by Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun.” Some Birds Strut.”