Indigenous-led development in B.C. receives major funding boost from First Nations Bank

Key Takeaways

• The First Nations Bank of Canada has announced its largest financing deal to date, supporting the Lílwat Nation’s Tseqwtsúqum development in Whistler, B.C.
• The Indigenous-led project will deliver commercial space and workforce housing in the Function Junction area.
• The initiative marks a significant step in economic reconciliation, Indigenous self-determination, and long-term employment for the region.

The Whole Story

A major Indigenous-led development in Whistler has received a significant financial boost through a partnership between the First Nations Bank of Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

The Lílwat Business Group (LBG), the economic arm of the Lílwat Nation, is receiving funding for the Tseqwtsúqum (pronounced Chek-choo-koom) project—an ambitious new village development in Function Junction that will include commercial space and workforce housing.

The financing marks the largest deal to date under the First Nations Bank’s Indigenous Land Development Loan Program, created to support Indigenous communities by lowering financial barriers to land development.

“This kind of Indigenous-led development is exactly what economic reconciliation looks like, empowering Nations to lead, build, and thrive on their own terms,” said Bill Lomax, president and CEO of First Nations Bank of Canada.

The first phase of Tseqwtsúqum is intended to help address pressing infrastructure and housing needs in the Whistler region, while generating long-term employment opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents.

Rosemary Stager, CEO of the Lílwat Business Group, called the project a “major milestone” for the Nation.

“Tseqwtsúqum is the largest project to date for LBG and exemplifies our commitment to building a strong, self-sustaining future that honours our cultural values,” said Stager. “This is more than a financial transaction. It’s a step toward reconciliation, opportunity, and self-determination.”

Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO Ehren Cory said the project aligns with its broader mission of supporting Indigenous infrastructure.

“In addition to supplying housing to a region with high demand, Lílwat Nation businesses and community members across generations will benefit through long-term employment and cultural revitalization opportunities,” Cory said.

The Lílwat Business Group operates across several sectors, including retail, forestry and construction, and aims to grow a sustainable economy for the Lílwat Nation while reinforcing cultural presence in traditional territories such as Pemberton and Whistler.