Rebuilding Sustainable Economies in Shareholder First Nations

CNF Admin
Jul 16
3 min read

In 2021, Coastal Nations Fisheries was established to create new economic opportunities for fishers and their families in shareholder Nations, and we continue to make great progress in these efforts. CNF is 100-percent focused on helping to revitalize coastal fisheries and the livelihoods they provide, and we will continue to support healthy and thriving economies into the future.

For shareholder Nations, that long-term goal is not confined to fisheries—it’s part of a much broader effort to restore sustainable economies across the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii, and increase economic wellbeing in coastal communities with new businesses that drive investment and opportunity.

To showcase these innovative enterprises, Coastal First Nations-Great Bear Initiative (CFN) organized a joint trip to the Central Coast (Heiltsuk and Kitasoo Xai’xais), featuring Coastal Nations Fisheries, Great Bear Carbon and Coast Funds.

During visits to Bella Bella and Klemtu in late May, CNF and the others provided updates within this broader economic context. The Heiltsuk part of the trip included a presentation to Chief and Council and hereditary leadership, and in Kitasoo Xai’xais Territory the group presented to interested community members and later met with Council leaders as well as representatives from the economic development department and the stewardship office.

Complementing presentations from Coast Funds, CFN and Great Bear Carbon, CEO Guy Dean spoke about the progress and future direction of CNF, including news from Coastal Nations Commercial Fishing (and eventually hiring an inaugural General Manager), as well as a summary of CNF’s financial picture and reiteration of the organization’s vision, mission and structure. He also highlighted a few key successes: Now in its full fourth year of operations, CNF has a permanent office in downtown Vancouver with six full-time permanent staff members and looking to grow even more.

CNF’s Community Based Fisheries Lead, Tasha Sutcliffe, also provided an update about the successful launch of CBFs in shareholder Nations to date, and the ongoing effort to rebuild small-scale fisheries and get people back out on the water.

In 2025, the Prawn CBF pilot launched its 2nd year with two vessels from two Nations—one Kitasoo Xai’xais and one Nuxalk. The Kitasoo Xai’xais project included local fisher, Basil Robinson, who was able to purchase and outfit his own vessel. The 2024 Haida Salmon Troll CBF included five local fishers, as well as a dockside monitoring program, delivered in partnership between the Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) and Ecotrust Canada, and is now readying to launch its 2nd project season in August.

The CBF update also summarized ongoing and future planning efforts, including progress made on the Vessel and Gear Loan program, which aims to support CBF harvesters in acquiring their own fishing equipment, as well as plans for the halibut longline CBF, which will eventually involve up to 11 boats participating from the Haida and Kitasoo Xai’xais Nations.

In mid June, CNF Staff and Board travelled to Haida Gwaii for a Board meeting, which also included participation in a cultural event, a Haida Expeditions boat tour of the Skidegate Inside passage and a visit of Xaayna Llnagaay, an ancient Haida village site on Maude Island.

The group met with CHN leadership and staff, as well as a representative of Skidegate Band Council and of the Old Massett Village Council for a comprehensive update on CNF and the Community Based Fisheries. Representatives from the Trust and CFN staff participated in the meeting virtually and gave updates on their work respectively.

“I think the Nations got a lot out of the presentations and it’s definitely something we’d like to repeat for other Nations,” said Guy, after the visits. “It was a great opportunity to connect with folks, not just in those communities but also our key partners in this important work. As usual, the bulk of that networking happened outside of the actual presentations, during off-the-cuff chats and catching up.”