The Future, Challenges & Opportunities
Understanding First Nations-led real estate development in British Columbia, the territories and relationships grounding it, and the leaders defining what comes next.
There are already many thoughtful, well-researched resources that map and explain Indigenous territories and designations. Rather than recreate them, we aim to amplify those existing works. Throughout this report, you’ll find links to trusted sources for deeper exploration and learning.
This report is a first step in what we hope will be a long-term, evolving dialogue. It is not a conclusion, but a place to start and an opportunity to transform how we think about land, leadership, and what it means to build together.
This section highlights existing resources that map and explain Indigenous territories and Indigenous-owned business designations. We encourage you to explore these materials for deeper context and understanding, and you’ll find links throughout this report to help guide your learning.
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In British Columbia, Truth and Reconciliation are increasingly woven into how many people live, work, and do business. For the real estate and development industry, the most meaningful way to integrate these principles into projects and practices is by listening to those with lived experience and learning from their perspectives.
We grow and improve our practices by engaging in open conversations, listening deeply, and sharing diverse perspectives. In the creation of this report, we spoke with several Indigenous leaders in the BC and Canadian real estate industry to better understand their experiences, priorities, approaches and challenges.
Around the world, there are powerful examples of Indigenous-led and collaborative real estate and land development projects that honour culture, history, and community. These initiatives demonstrate how development can move forward while respecting tradition and place.
Reading the decisions shaping the next decade of real estate, land, and governance in British Columbia.
It's no secret that housing affordability remains a major concern across Canada, and more acutely, in regions like the Lower Mainland.
The case, which spanned more than 11 years, is one of the most complex and lengthy trials in Canadian history.
What happens when Indigenous nations own and develop prime real estate land in one of the world’s most expensive cities?
A 6.9-acre, multi-phased Indigenous community in Prince George with 176 housing units and 40 childcare spaces, developed in collaboration with the Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George.
An Indigenous-led mixed-use development on East Hastings with 80 shelter beds, 25 supportive units, 143 rental homes, and a multi-level day centre. The name means “To Gather, Good Spirits” in Chinook Jargon.
A two-phase, mixed-use affordable housing development created to serve urban Indigenous families, elders/seniors, and singles in need of stable, affordable and high-quality housing.
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The Real Estate Institute of BC’s headquarters are located in downtown Vancouver, BC, the traditional, ancestral, and unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. This place is called K’emk’emeláy (place of many maple trees) by the Squamish Nation, with many specific place names throughout the city from all Nations who are caretakers of this territory.
Our organization was founded on principles that align with respect, relationship, and representation, namely our values of integrity, diversity, transparency, and community.
In keeping with our values, as uninvited guests on this land, we would like to acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples who have stewarded territories across BC since time immemorial, an area where REIBC now has the privilege to serve:
On Vancouver Island and neighbouring islands, the traditional and unceded territory of the Xwsepsum and Songhees Nations of the lək̓ʷəŋən families and ancestors, Scia’new, T’Sou-ke. The MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁ¸UTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), and W̱SÍḴEM (Tseycum) nations of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. The Quw’utsun (Cowichan); Stz’uminus; Snuneymuxw; Snaw-naw-as; Lyackson; Penelakut; Halalt; Qualicum; K’ómoks; the Kwakwaka’wakw nations; and the Nuu-chah-nulth nations.
In the Lower Mainland, the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), QayQayt First Nation, Kwantlen, q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), and Stó:lō Nation.
In the Cariboo, Chilcotin, and Coast region, the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsilhqot’in, the Northern Secwepemc including the T’exelcemc and Tsq’escenemc nations, St'át'imc, Nuxalk, Gitga’at, Wuikinuxv, and Heiltsuk.
In the Thompson-Okanagan region, the traditional and unceded territory of the Nlaka’pamux Peoples, Syilx Peoples, and Secwepemc Nations.
In the Kootenay region, the traditional and unceded territory of the Ktunaxa nation, Secwepemc nations, Syilx, and Sinixt Peoples.
In Northern B.C., the traditional and unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, Haida, Tsimshian, Nisga’a, Haisla, Gitxsan, Wet’suwet’en, Tahltan peoples, and on Treaty 8 territory, lands of the Sicannie, Slavey, Dene and Dane-Zaa, Cree, Saulteaux, and Métis.
