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Galiano Island: Penelakut Traditional Territory
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Quadra Island: Wei Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum Traditional Territory
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Saturna Island: Tsawout and Tseycum, WSÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
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Hornby Island: Pentlach Traditional Territory
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Denman Island: Pentlach Traditional Territory
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Mayne Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
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Gabriola Island: Snuneymuxw Traditional Territory
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Salt Spring Island: W̱SÁNEĆ (Tsawout) and Quw'utsun Traditional Territory
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Pender Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
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Bowen Island: Squamish Traditional Territory
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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 Indigenous and settler businesses, community partners and supporters, RIEP fosters community engagement, coordination, and collaboration to achieve economic goals sustainably.
Collaborate Regionally, Achieve Results Locally
RIEP provides opportunities for communication, community engagement, information-sharing, and collaboration, through initiatives focused on the challenges facing rural island and rural coastal communities today. From the climate crisis and the need for economic resilience, to Reconciliation and the strengthening of BC's social safety net, RIEP’s programs promote regenerative strategies that support the socio-economic health of BC’s rural island and coastal communities.
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 & Penelakut islands. Our Partnership includes individuals, businesses, organizations, and governments interested in fostering healthy and vibrant communities across the islands.
Join RIEP Today!
Together, we leverage our strengths and deliver meaningful results for all of British Columbia’s rural island communities—as a RIEP member, you can:
- Get discounted registration for the RIEP Forum, our 'unconference conference' consisting of inspiring presentations where we develop ideas for shared and addressing ways to overcome challenges, and engage in valuable networking and celebration of the creative fabric of our rural island communities.
- Participate in Connection Cafés, lively topical inter-island meet-ups where you can connect with fellow rural islanders to share ideas, provide mutual support, and strengthen connections.
- 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 businesses.
News

Working Towards a Green Economy: RIEP Business Impact Survey
Up and down British Columbia's south coast, rural island communities serve as models for addressing the systemic challenges that affect communities of … [Read More...] about Working Towards a Green Economy: RIEP Business Impact Survey

Community Members Come Together to Activate RIEP Resolutions
June 8 Connection Café Results in Three New Volunteer Working Groups to Act for BC’s Rural Islands Café attendees included participants of the RIEP … [Read More...] about Community Members Come Together to Activate RIEP Resolutions

That’s a Wrap! Takeaways from the 2023 RIEP Forum
Putting the Pieces Together for Healthy Rural Island Communities Over 125 islanders, stakeholders, allies, and representatives from all levels of … [Read More...] about That’s a Wrap! Takeaways from the 2023 RIEP Forum
Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.
Access meaningful local and regional information. Browse rural island-focused resources and find out about RIEP's upcoming events.
Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.
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.
Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.
Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.
Access meaningful local and regional information. Browse rural island-focused resources and find out about RIEP's upcoming events.
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.
Island Stories

‘Namgis Business Development Corporation has a new look thanks to Rising Tide Business Services
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
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”
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”
In Case You Missed It
Connection Cafe – 2023 RIEP Forum Resolutions
Learn about the Rural Islands Values Framework and our 2023 RIEP Forum Resolutions — a roadmap for realizing rural island “values in action"!
Find out more »RIEP Forum 2023
The 2023 RIEP Forum is an “unconference” conference for island settlers, Indigenous communities and allies - an opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting, reflect on common challenges and new ideas, and act! Join us on Gabriola Island, this April 25-27th.
Find out more »