Real Estate Foundation of BC

09/29/2026

The is proud to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with representatives from the Canada Water Security Funders Group to advance water security.

Together, they are strengthening collaboration on shared priorities. The Funders Group’s participating members collectively steward more than $2.4 billion in assets and bring experience supporting freshwater stewardship, innovation, watershed planning and community resilience across the country.

This MOU provides a framework for collaboration that includes:
🌊 knowledge exchanges on key issues
🌊 communications and water literacy
🌊 exploring mutual priorities and combined investment opportunities; and
🌊 broader private and public collaboration to support watershed governance, planning and management.

Learn more about the MOU: https://ow.ly/g52Y50ZSJPZ

09/28/2026

It's always nice to swap boardrooms for boats once in a while. Last month, our team left the office to explore Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territory together, from the Museum of Vancouver's That Which Sustains Us and Unity Indigenous Plant Garden exhibits, to Granville Island and Sen̓áḵw Village.

At our last stop, leadership from Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation renewed our appreciation for the connections between land, community, history, and the future of our city. Big thanks to Brandi, Jacob, and Trevor for the fantastic tour.

Some of the best learning happens when we step into the communities and landscapes that shape the work we do.

09/23/2026

Five years ago, One Day's Pay (onedayspay.ca) started in conjunction with Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. What began as a group of friends and colleagues who felt conflicted that Canadians were getting a paid day off has now raised over $1M for 13 Indigenous-led organizations, and mobilized thousands of Canadians to engage more deeply with reconciliation.

Each year, One Days Pay spotlights Indigenous-led organizations that Canadians can donate to, with 100% of the funds going to the donees. The website also provides resources that include questions for independent research and dialogue. This year, one of REFBC's grantees, Stqeeye’Learning Society (Xwaaqw'um), is one of the featured organizations. Recently, Stqeeye’ invited REFBC for a visit, and it was a joy to see how they are bringing Quw’utsun people back to live in and steward their traditional territory.

Also featured this year are Sacred Earth and Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre.

Join our team in sharing One Day's Pay, or what you can afford, with the three outstanding featured organizations this year. Many thanks to The Circle on Philanthropy for guiding this campaign since 2021.

09/18/2026

Law Foundation of BC's Activate grants aim to provide flexible funding for early-stage ideas and plans that may lead to new and innovative programming, projects, or infrastructure that advance racial justice through law and policy reform.

Grant seekers can choose to apply for $25,000 or $50,000 per year for a total of $50,000 or $100,000 in two years. Book a call with the Foundation's staff to start a conversation about your project and eligibility. More information below and on their website: lawfoundationbc.org/what-we-fund/racial-justice/activate-grants/

Racial Justice CALL OPEN Activate Grants 2026Funding Notice Zoom calls with grant seekers will take place between September 8th and October 9th. To find out if your organization or project is eligible, please read below. Racial Justice Call Open Activate Grants Funding Notice Purpose Indigenous peop...

09/15/2026

💧Presenting REFBC's 2026–2030 Strategic Plan🌿

Over the past several years, our organization has grown and evolved its work to support sustainable, equitable, and socially just land use across BC. With our new strategic plan, we are staying rooted in our journey while holding a deepened sense of responsibility to each other and future generations.

At a time when progress toward reconciliation, recognition of Indigenous rights, and broader movements for social, economic, and environmental justice face increasing headwinds, this plan remains grounded in REFBC’s core commitments to human rights, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, as well as the Transformative Actions for UNDRIP Advancement.

Ultimately, this plan is an invitation and an offering—one that calls on all those connected to this work to remain open, engaged, and committed. Check out our new plan on our website and let us know which parts you feel most excited about: https://refbc.ca/strategic-plan-2026-2030/

09/10/2026

Congratulations to Janna Wale, recipient of the Emerging Leader award at the 2026 . A Gitxsan and Cree-Métis climate researcher, policy advisor, and speaker, Janna is advancing climate action rooted in justice, trust, lived experience, and Indigenous leadership. Her work exemplifies the impact of the next generation of changemakers.

09/08/2026

Janna Wale is helping shape research, policy, and climate action through a commitment to community, justice, and Indigenous-led solutions. Janna combines academic rigour with cultural responsibility, demonstrating that climate action must be rooted in justice, trust, and Indigenous leadership. At the 2026 Land Awards, Janna’s work at Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions earned her the Emerging Leader award.

09/03/2026

Congratulations to Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, K.C., recipient of the 2026 Land Champion Award. Her work has fundamentally contributed to reshaping land governance in British Columbia through her contributions to environmental and Aboriginal Law, including acting as General Counsel to the Haida Nation. In September 2025, the BC Supreme Court granted a title declaration to 100% of terrestrial areas of Haida Gwaii.

Terri-Lynn is a citizen of the Haida Nation, a Principal Co-Investigator of the Canada Climate Law Initiative, and currently a PhD candidate at Allard School of Law, UBC.

09/01/2026

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, K.C., has represented the Haida Nation at all levels of court for over 30 years. Through her leadership, legal expertise, artistic practice, and dedication to climate action, biodiversity, and ocean protection, she is the voice of generations of Haida people.

For her visionary leadership, we were honoured to present Terri-Lynn with the 2026 Land Champion Award.

08/31/2026

Wonderful things are happening at Xwaaqw'um (Burgoyne Bay) on Salt Spring Island. Xwaaqw’um is an ancestral village site of the Hul̓q̓umín̓um̓-speaking Quw’utsun people. The Stqeeye’ Learning Society is bringing Quw’utsun people back to live in and steward their traditional territory.

Stqeeye’ invited REFBC for a visit, and it was a joy to see their transformational work in person. Our first stop was Xwaaqw’um Farm, which Stqeeye’ acquired through Mi tse’ t’akw’ (Coming Home), a Land Back fundraising campaign. Later, we lunched on beets, lettuce, and potatoes grown at the farm.

In Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, we got an introduction to the Youth on the Land program. Indigenous youth, as well as school groups from the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island, come to learn about Xwaaqw’um history, Quw’utsun values and stewardship, two-eyed seeing, and more. It changes perspectives, builds relationships, and fosters reconciliation.

Our Grandmothers’ Garden is where Stqeeye’ is restoring a patch of p’hwulhp (Garry oak) and speenhw (camas) meadow. It serves as a learning and testing ground — and represents a step towards bringing back the meadows long tended by Quw’utsun women. Once abundant with foods and medicines, the meadows are vitally important to Quw’utsun food sovereignty.

Watched over by Hwmet’utsum (Mount Maxwell), Stqeeye’ is restoring wetlands in decommissioned farm-fields (with help from Redd Fish Restoration Society). We saw the early results of excavation, native planting, and beaver dam analog construction. Indeed, a beaver has already endorsed the work by taking up residence!

Huychq’u to everyone at Stqeeye’ for your hard work, passion, and generosity. We are grateful for the opportunity to walk and learn with you.

Learn more and support Stqeeye’:
https://stqeeye.ca