A new Indigenous-authored report creates an unprecedented vision and an opportunity for a new era of economic prosperity across coastal B.C.
K’ómoks Territory, Courtenay, British Columba, July 30, 2025 – The First Nations Strategic Recommendations Report released today reflects consensus on the part of more than 30 First Nations on a ground-breaking and collaborative vision for co-governance of the Island Coastal Economic Trust.
In 2025, British Columbia needs strong regional partners more than ever to build a resilient, inclusive economy. A key recommendation is that the Trust facilitate the development of a consensus action plan among First Nations, local governments, and the Government of British Columbia as partners in implementing the vision of a co-governed, permanently financed regional development organization.
The First Nations who participated in the report, which was authored by Vancouver Island-based Sa̱nala Planning, also expressed strong interest in working with the Government of British Columbia to explore long-term, sustainable investment models for the Trust. Long-term investment of this kind will enable the Trust to build on its robust track record and deepen its impact through a long-term diversification strategy that generates enduring wealth across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Islands and Inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution.
The report is the result of a ground-breaking comprehensive and independent Indigenous-led engagement process that recognized First Nations must lead conversations about their inclusion and governance in regional economic development. The recommendations in the report were delivered to the Trust on June 4, 2025, and its Board of Directors have committed to acting on each of the recommendations, principally by bringing the partners—First Nations governments, local governments, and the Government of British Columbia—together to build a consensus action plan for transformation of the Trust.
The report, which was delivered simultaneously to the Government of British Columbia, supports the government’s Declaration On The Rights Of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan 2022-2027, including a commitment to “work with the Province’s Economic Trusts and First Nation partners to develop a mechanism that ensures inclusion of First Nations at a regional decision-making level.”
“Based on what we heard from First Nations across the region, Sa̱nala Planning believes the Trust can play an important role in convening leadership among First Nations, local governments, Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and further partners,” says Sa̱nala Planning CEO Jessie Hemphill. “The Trust should now focus on bringing the partners together towards building a consensus action plan to realize transformation of the Trust.”
“This is an opportunity for the Trust and the provincial government to support Indigenous leadership, values, and priorities in shaping the future of economic development on Vancouver Island and the coast in an innovative and meaningful way,” says Ashley Wright, the Trust’s Indigenous adviser on the governance initiative. “Working together this way we can build a pathway forward that reflects shared responsibilities and a collaborative approach that benefits all communities.”
Inclusion of First Nations in the Trust’s governance has been called for by Vancouver Island and coastal local government leaders for almost two decades. Local governments within the Trust’s service area have formally supported moving to a co-governance model with First Nations since 2022, including through a Union of British Columbia Municipalities resolution. In 2024, the Government of British Columbia invested $10 million in the Trust, enabling the critical engagement work required to produce the report to move forward.
“What’s being shared is a call to honour the relationships, responsibilities, and hopes that have been built through years of trust, vision, and care,” says Michelle Staples, Chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust and Mayor of the City of Duncan. “We are committed to walking with First Nations and the Province to bring this co-governance vision to life, not as a symbolic gesture but rather as a path towards transformation in how decisions are made and futures are shaped throughout Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.
“The strong and growing commitment at all levels of the Trust to meaningful partnerships with First Nations is encouraging,” says Ashley Wright. “I am excited at the opportunity to work alongside the provincial government and the Trust in the co-development of a plan, including legislative changes needed to reflect the Indigenous voices in the region.”
“This is a moment of transformation,” says Sayaač̓atḥ John Jack, Vice Chair of Island Coastal Trust, Chief Councillor of Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Chair of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. “Co-governance is not just about inclusion. It’s about building institutions that reflect the values, leadership, and potential of all communities on this coast. I am looking forward to working with the new Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth on this incredible and uniquely coastal vision of the First Nations and local governments.”
Download the First Nations Strategic Recommendations Report.
About Sa̱nala Planning
Sa̱nala Planning is an Indigenous-owned company using planning to support Indigenous self-determination for the well-being of all. Specializing in Indigenous planning and engagement, the company emphasizes reciprocal, culturally safe Indigenous engagement while embracing a holistic approach in its work. Sa̱nala understands that our communities are unique, and that we all deserve respectful, effective, place-based, and culturally-based planning processes.
About Island Coastal Economic Trust
Island Coastal Economic Trust is the regional development organization founded by the Province of British Columbia under the North Island-Coast Development Initiative Trust Act to serve Vancouver Island and the surrounding coast. We partner with First Nations, local governments, businesses, and non-profits to drive prosperity and diversify the coastal economy through strategic economic investments. Over $370 million in direct new investment has been attracted to coastal B.C. through our partnerships since 2006. We believe that meaningful and lasting change is best achieved through strong, collaborative partnerships that unite people, communities, sectors, and resources. As we work toward inclusive and resilient economic futures, we do so with a deep appreciation for the histories, contributions, and rights of the Kwak̓wala/Bakwam’kala, Nuučaa̓nuɫ, Éy7á7juuthem,Ligwilda’xw, Pəntl’áč, She shashishalhem, Hul’q’umi’num’, diitiidʔaatx̣ , SENĆOŦEN, Skwxwú7mesh,Lekwungen, and T’Sou-ke speaking peoples.
The Trust’s mandate has been to support economic diversification and growth across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and islands and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution (see Our Region). Serving more than half a million residents, the Trust partners with communities in the development and financing of their economic Infrastructure and diversification efforts through a unique structure that is led by and accountable to communities.
Recommendations in the Report
Based on what Sa̱nala Planning heard from the First Nations that it worked with in the engagement process, the First Nations Strategic Recommendations Report offered nine recommendations to the Government of British Columbia that support its s.4.39 DRIPA Action Plan commitment, including:
- At least 50% of the Board are First Nations appointees
- Remove the legislated funding cap and permanently capitalize the Trust
- Establish more Regional Advisory Committees and provide for First Nations appointments to the Committees.
The report also provided six recommendations to the Board of the Trust, including:
- Facilitate development of a Consensus Action Plan with First Nations, local governments, and the Government of British Columbia that will capitalize and transform the Trust as a co-governed, permanently financed regional development organization for Vancouver Island and the coast.
- Work with the Government of British Columbia to ensure the Trust has sufficient human, institutional, and organizational capacity to resource the governance and administration required to uphold effective co-governance that drives regional economic impact.
- Encourage collaboration and partnerships through funding for projects that involve multiple First Nations, local governments, and/or private sector partners.
Indigenous-Led Engagement Process
For many years, local governments and M.L.A.s across Vancouver Island and coast have had a consensus vision for the renewal and transformation of Island Coastal Economic Trust into a permanent environmental, social and governance-focused First Nations- and local government-led fund, directed at building sustainable, resilient communities for generations to come. This consensus vision of elected leaders informed Island Coastal Economic Trust’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and its priority goal: to transform the Trust into a permanent, co-governed, regional development organization for coastal communities.
To enable the region to move towards realizing this goal, the Government of British Columbia made a $10 million contribution to the Trust in 2024, enabling the Trust board of directors to hire Sa̱nala Planning, an Indigenous planning company, to engage with First Nations about the future of the Trust. Over the past year, Sa̱nala invited all 53 First Nations whose Traditional Territories span the Trust’s legislated service region and directly engaged with 33 First Nations, Tribes, and Modern Treaty Nations. More First Nations added their insights to the draft report when it was circulated to all of the First Nations for their review. Engagements included in-person meetings with Indigenous leaders in their communities and online sessions.
Although this engagement initiative began in July 2024 when the Board engaged Sa̱nala Planning, the effort builds on work dating back to the Trust’s founding in 2005. Since the beginning, Trust’s board of directors and regional advisory committee members, comprised of Mayors, regional district chairs, and M.L.A.s, have recognized the Act governing the Trust does not allow First Nations to participate in its governance. Three independent legislative reviews required by the Province of B.C. have since called on the Province to amend the Act to allow for First Nation inclusion.
Media Contacts
Jessie Hemphill
CEO
Sa̱nala Planning
250-902-8221
jessie.hemphill@sanalaplanning.com
Katherine Gordon
Communications/Media
Island Coastal Economic Trust
250-616-6031
ksagordon@gmail.com
