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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
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Galiano Island: Penelakut Traditional Territory
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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: W̱SÁNEĆ (Tsawout) and Quw'utsun Traditional Territory
-
Pender Island: W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territory
-
Bowen Island: Squamish Traditional Territory
-
Cortes Island: Homalco, Tla'amin, and Klahoose Traditional Territory
-
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: W̱SÁNEĆ (Tsawout) and Quw'utsun 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 and the rural, remote coastal communities of British Columbia. Together with Indigenous and settler businesses, community partners and supporters, RIEP fosters connection , community engagement, coordination, and collaboration to achieve socio-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.
Fostering Healthy & Vibrant Communities
British Columbia’s rural and remote coastal communities are social and cultural gems. They are home to diverse communities of changemakers, innovators, and creators – local, regional businesses and community-building organizations representing both settler and Indigenous communities, within the traditional territories of the Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw and Coast Salish Nations – from across the Rural Island Communities of Bowen, Broughton Archipelago, Cormorant, Cortes, Denman, Gabriola, Galiano, Gambier, Hornby, Lasqueti, Malcolm, Mayne, Pender, Quadra, Salt Spring, Saturna, Texada, and Thetis & Penelakut islands to the rural, remote coastal communities from Port Hardy and Tofino, to Sayward and Sechelt, to Lady Smith, Sooke and all in- between—seeking to foster healthy, vibrant and resilient coastal communities.
Interim Report: Green Business Accelerator Research Project
In mid-December, RIEP completed Phase 1 and 2 of our Green Business Accelerator (GBA) feasibility study, a research project funded by the Rural … [Read More...] about Interim Report: Green Business Accelerator Research Project
2023 Wrap-up
2023 Was A Transformative Year for the Rural Islands Economic Partnership. While the RIEP team—Board members, staff, and committee volunteers—had no … [Read More...] about 2023 Wrap-up
Video Launch – “RIEP: Keeping the Islands Vibe Alive!”
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the video: “RIEP: Keeping the Islands Vibe Alive”, produced by Rising Tide Business Services. … [Read More...] about Video Launch – “RIEP: Keeping the Islands Vibe Alive!”
What One Person Can Do
Each new day, the sun rises and illuminates BC's rural island and coastal communities...and so too do the people who make them tick. (Suspend your … [Read More...] about What One Person Can Do
Become a RIEP Member
Members get discounts on tickets to the RIEP Forum, invitations to Connection Cafés, and access to Rising Tide Business Services.
Ivy Peers: A Champion for Community Economic Self-Determination
In 1885, an amendment to Canada’s Indian Act banned the traditional practice of potlatch by Indigenous peoples, and remained in place for the next six … [Read More...] about Ivy Peers: A Champion for Community Economic Self-Determination
Building Future Communities, A Thetis Island Leader Reconciles His Past
Reflecting on his childhood in Saltair, an unincorporated community between Chemainus and Ladysmith, Doug Fenton admits that, while he enjoyed growing … [Read More...] about Building Future Communities, A Thetis Island Leader Reconciles His Past
Pender Island Business Leader Balances the 30,000-foot View & Community Mindset
Thandi Williams may be one of the newest rural islanders to catch the RIEP member spirit— she arrived on Pender Island in 2020 — but she already talks … [Read More...] about Pender Island Business Leader Balances the 30,000-foot View & Community Mindset
Forum Connections for Salt Spring Community Leader
“At first I wasn't sure I belonged,” said Robin Jenkinson, reflecting on the invitation she received from a good friend to participate on a speaker … [Read More...] about Forum Connections for Salt Spring Community Leader
Learn More
Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.
Where rural coastal communities connect – to participate virtually by sharing news, ideas, stories, and supporting each other towards building enduring, all-islands and rural coastal communities.
Advancing Inter-Island Connectivity & Respectful Visitation
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.
Find out how RIEP is helping rural island economies with Rising Tide Business Services.
Where rural coastal communities connect – to participate virtually by sharing news, ideas, stories, and supporting each other towards building enduring, all-islands and rural coastal communities.
Meet fellow rural islanders who have joined the RIEP movement.
Advancing Inter-Island Connectivity & Respectful Visitation
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.
Check back for updates.
Connection Café – Mitigating & Adapting: Climate Change Economic Disruptions
Are you prepared for the risk of climate-related disruptions to your coastal region business, community organization, or livelihood?
Miss an Event? See our Events Archive