have access to regular funding for long-term plans," says Adra. Additionally, First Nations can choose to access additional services through Coast Funds to support capacity building, long-term stewardship planning, fundraising to increase access to financing, and storytelling. Coast Funds' mandate emphasizes the importance of First Nations' responsibility to manage and steward their traditional territories—a role they have fulfilled for tens of thousands of years. "We support Indigenous-led initiatives in British Columbia’s coastal regions, focusing on environmental conservation, economic prosperity, and cultural revitalization," says Adra. Success in conservation and community wellbeing projects is measured through an outcomes framework developed with First Nations. "This framework includes 20 indicators for environmental conservation, social empowerment, economic prosperity, and cultural vitality," says Adra. "After projects are completed, our team works with Nations to track outcomes and lessons learned. We publish aggregated outcomes on our website to share progress and impact." One of the major challenges Coast Funds faces is finding long-term sources of funding to support the ambitious goals of the First Nations they serve. "Many Nations may require additional investment to Wei Wai Kum Guardians carrying out a biomass survey to check the health of kelp in their territory. (Credit: Deirdre Leowinata / Coast Funds) 5
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