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Rural Islands Economic Partnership

Cultivating Resilient Partnerships

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  • Galiano Island: Penelakut Traditional Territory

  • Quadra Island: Wei Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Traditional Territory

  • Saturna Island: Tsawout and Tseycum, WSÁNEĆ Traditional Territory

  • Hornby Island: Pentlach Traditional Territory

  • Denman Island: Pentlach Traditional Territory

  • Mayne Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory

  • Gabriola Island: Snuneymuxw Traditional Territory

  • Salt Spring Island: Tsawout Traditional Territory

  • Pender Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory

  • Bowen Island: Squamish Traditional Territory

  • Cortes Island: Homalco, Tla'amin, and Klahoose Traditional Territory

Resilience Through Partnership

The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) promotes economic resilience across the rural islands of British Columbia. Together with partners and supporters, RIEP fosters community engagement, coordination, and collaboration to achieve local economic goals sustainably.

Collaborate Regionally, Achieve Results Locally

RIEP offers a platform for inter-island communication, information sharing and collaborative initiatives to address, through a rural islands lens, the economic and social challenges facing island communities through the pandemic and beyond.

Keep the Islands Vibrant

British Columbia’s rural islands are social and cultural gems. They are home to diverse communities of changemakers, innovators, and creators. RIEP serves rural island communities—including Indigenous communities with traditional and reserve lands—on Bowen, Broughton Archipelago, Cormorant, Cortes, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Malcolm, Mayne, Pender, Quadra, Salt Spring, Saturna, Texada, and Thetis. Our Partnership includes individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments interested in fostering healthy and vibrant communities across the islands.

Explore our Islands by mousing over an icon!

Join RIEP Today!

As a RIEP member, YOU can:
• Participate in the Connection Café, a lively topical monthly inter-island meet-up to virtually connect with fellow rural islanders to share ideas and laughter, to learn something new, to support each other, and strengthen islander connections.

As a RIEP member, YOU can:
• Attend the annual RIEP Forum for inspiring presentations; for discovering new resources; for addressing ways to overcome challenges, for engaging in valuable networking and for celebrating the creative fabric of our rural island communities.

As a RIEP member, YOU can:
• Take advantage of Rising Tide Business Services, offering affordable digital marketing tools and support for entrepreneurs and small businesses to discover new markets for their business, and to provide further benefits for their existing customers.

Together, we leverage our strengths and deliver meaningful results for all of British Columbia’s rural island communities.

Get Started

Member Profiles

Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.

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Rising Tide Business Services

Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.

Learn More

RIEP Forum

News & Resources

Access meaningful local and regional information. Browse rural island-focused resources and find out about RIEP's upcoming events.

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Supporters Circle

We are deeply grateful for the financial and in-kind contributions all helping to build and sustain BC’s rural island economies, culture, livelihoods and collective voice.

Learn More

Rising Tide Business Services

Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.

Learn More

RIEP Forum

News & Resources

Access meaningful local and regional information. Browse rural island-focused resources and find out about RIEP's upcoming events.

Read More

Member Profiles

Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.

Read More

Membership

Join a vibrant inter-island community! Add your voice to an exciting partnership that serves over 18 rural islands of BC.

Learn More

Island Stories

‘Namgis Business Development Corporation has a new look thanks to Rising Tide Business Services

May 15, 2022

The Rural Island Economic Partnership is pleased to welcome the 'Namgis Business Development Corporation (“NBDC”), as an organizational member and … [Read More...] about ‘Namgis Business Development Corporation has a new look thanks to Rising Tide Business Services

The Quadra Island Cookbook Comeback: Good Food for a Good Cause 

December 9, 2021

During the summer of 2021, more than 75 Quadra Island residents came together to taste test over 350 home-cooked recipes created by over 100 … [Read More...] about The Quadra Island Cookbook Comeback: Good Food for a Good Cause 

Living Through the Pandemic on Malcolm Island: “Sisu”

March 5, 2021

Marjorie Giroux of Malcolm Island fills the role of Community Developer at the Sointula Resource Centre Society and is a Rural Islands Economic … [Read More...] about Living Through the Pandemic on Malcolm Island: “Sisu”

Gabriola Farm to Table

Islanders Creating Together on Gabriola Island

February 25, 2021

Julie Sperber from Gabriola Island is the Executive Director of the Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce and a Board Member of the Rural Islands … [Read More...] about Islanders Creating Together on Gabriola Island

News

#exploreBCruralislands Launches October 20

October 12, 2022

The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) is excited to announce the multi-media launch of its Fall and Early Winter season #exploreBCruralislands … [Read More...] about #exploreBCruralislands Launches October 20

RIEP Board Director, Julie Sperber, Appointed President and CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance

September 28, 2022

The Rural Islands Economic Partnership (RIEP) is proud to announce exciting news – RIEP’s Board Director Julie Sperber has been appointed President … [Read More...] about RIEP Board Director, Julie Sperber, Appointed President and CEO of Vancouver Island Economic Alliance

#exploreBCruralislands – RIEP’s Sustainable Tourism Initiative Awarded Destination BC Co-Op Grant

June 9, 2022

Being launched as a Pilot for Fall 2022, #exploreBCruralislands will support shoulder visitation for Cormorant, Cortes, Gabriola, Hornby, Quadra. The … [Read More...] about #exploreBCruralislands – RIEP’s Sustainable Tourism Initiative Awarded Destination BC Co-Op Grant

Check out Connection Café Highlights! Jan – May, 2022

June 9, 2022

British Columbia’s rural islands are social and cultural gems. They are home to diverse communities of changemakers, innovators, and creators. RIEP … [Read More...] about Check out Connection Café Highlights! Jan – May, 2022

Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars!

25 April 2023

RIEP Forum 2023

Mark Your Calendars to engage and deepen connections with BC's rural islanders and allies via the In-Person RIEP Forum, being held on Gabriola Island April 25-27, 2023.

Find out more »

In Case You Missed It

18 November 2022

RIEP Forum 2022

BC's rural islanders and allies engaged and deepened connections at the virtual RIEP Forum, held Nov 18-19 2022.

Find out more »
Zoom,
31 May 2022

Connection Café – 31 May 2022

Stay Competitive: Biz Tools for Generating Year-Round Revenues. Watch the recording here!

Find out more »
Free
Zoom,
29 March 2022

Connection Café – 29 Mar 2022

March's CONNECTION CAFÉ included Dialogue + Q & A with tourism activity providers & representatives of tourism management organizations exploring how to achieve sustainable tourism. Watch the recording here!

Find out more »
Free
Zoom,

> See March - May 2020 Covid Response Roundtables

Let's Get Social! @RuralIslandsPartnership

This spring, RIEP's 'unconference-conference' retu This spring, RIEP's 'unconference-conference' returns in-person! 

The 2023 Forum is April 25-27 at **The Haven on Gabriola Island** (save the date!) 

Join fellow islanders, local businesses, creatives, community activist organizations, and allies for plenary keynotes, panel presentations, economic sector roundtables, case studies & success stories, action labs, and Connection Cafe networking.

RIEP Forum 2023
Connect ➡️ Reflect ➡️ ACT!

• More Program Announcements To Come •

Watch our social media, or visit RIEPForum.ca to sign-up for e-news!
Get your hands dirty, learn how to make bread, cho Get your hands dirty, learn how to make bread, chocolate and/or cheese this fall and sharpen your respectful visitation skills by supporting local. 

#Gabriolaisland's Ag Co-op has a "makers" workshop series that you need to know about.

Read on via the #exploreBCruralislands coverage at the link in our bio! @ruralislandspartnership

📸  Logan Moore / @ZenSeekers

#exploreBC #ZenSeekers #GabriolaIsland #Gabriola #snuneymuxwTerritory

 @Gabriolatrails @BCFerries
Visit www.RIEPForum.ca for the Recap of RIEP Forum Visit www.RIEPForum.ca for the Recap of RIEP Forum 2022! (link in bio)

The challenges and rewards of living and working on an Island are Island specific, but there are definitely common threads. There is room for unification, shared resources, and sustainable economic and community development…

Next Steps? Join us virtually for Connection Cafés in January and February, and watch for announcements for the in-person 2023 Forum being held April 25-27 at the Haven on Gabriola Island!

Much gratitude and respect to all who took part in RIEP Forum 2022! 

What attendees are saying:

"This was a great opportunity to network and get up to speed on what's happening in our rural remote island communities"

"I loved how many diverse voices and perspectives were at the Forum and I learned a ton by listening!"

"A great group that was very engaged with helping their own islands within the scope and understanding of working together for the greater good."

"As a great way to connect with other people who understand the struggles as an island business/ person and share same values that you would have but also offer fresh eyes to the situation because from another island. Great way to connect!!!"

"A friendly, caring and creative community, interest in the wellbeing of our rural islands"

Sign up for updates at www.RIEPForum.ca. (Find the signup form in the footer.)

#RIEPForum2022 #RIEPForum2023 #RuralIslandsForum #BCsRuralIslands #RuralIslandsEconomicPartnership #RIEP 

𝘈𝘤𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘸𝘢̱𝘬𝘢̱'𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.
Be one of BC's most respectful visitors and score Be one of BC's most respectful visitors and score some unique #Christmas gifts for friends and family by simply making a visit to #HornbyIsland for a self-guided artisan tour.

Know and go with the #exploreBCruralislands story at the link in our bio! @ruralislandspartnership

📸  Logan Moore / @ZenSeekers

#exploreBC #ZenSeekers  #Myhornbystory #HornbyIsland #hornby #KomoksTerritory

@CannonRoadPottery @HornbyArtsCentre @conservancyhornbyisland @hornbyisland @BCFerries
It's the Island where GreenPeace was formed, #Cort It's the Island where GreenPeace was formed, #CortesIsland's Friends of Cortes bring years of experience in sustainability to the table in how to be a respectful visitor. 

You game for some sea star monitoring? Learn what we mean within this #exploreBCruralislands coverage at the link in our bio! @ruralislandspartnership

📸  Melissa Renwick / @ZenSeekers

#exploreBC #ZenSeekers #CortesIsland #Cortes #KlahooseTerritory

@cktzCortesradio @friendsofcortes @BCFerries

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The Rural Islands Economic Partnership Society (RIEP) of British Columbia (BC) is a thriving alliance of diverse Indigenous and non-Indigenous rural island communities sustained through a united voice; shared values; social, economic, and cultural well-being; environmental stewardship; and collaborative strength for the benefit of BC’s rural islands.

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