October 8, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) received an impressive response to its 2026 Fall Funding Intake from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on October 8, 2026, with 43 applications requesting nearly $1.9 million in funding for projects with a combined project value of over $3.8 million.
Expanding Tourism Options in the Columbia Valley
For nearly 40 years, the Akisqnuk First Nation (AFN), one of four Indian Bands that make up the Ktunaxa Nation, operated the Lakeshore Resort and Campground off Highway 93/95 in Windermere, BC. It grew to become the largest campground in the Columbia Valley and an important part of the region’s tourism economy, recognized with several awards including outstanding achievement by a community-owned business at the 2015 BC Aboriginal Business Awards.
Prior to the closure, the campground offered space for 54 permanent trailers, 50 campsites, 16 additional sites for overflow and access to the pristine shores of Lake Windermere. During the extended closure, the campground fell into disrepair. Not only did the facility require infrastructure upgrades, a 2017 draft business plan identified approximately $365,000 in potential revenue that was not being captured. The AFN proposed a feasibility study to review the business model and potentially add more services and Indigenous cultural experiences to the campsite environment.
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the cost of the study through its Building Economic Development Capacity funding stream, recognizing the potential for the Indigenous-owned business to create new jobs, increase revenue and foster community unity and growth. The funding supported the hiring of local economic development consultant Theresa Wood to undertake the study.
“The AFN took advantage of an opportune time to make a plan to make the campground a successful business,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “This helps the Akisqnuk First Nation and the whole region.”
Campground Re-opens in 2024
After the study was completed in August 2023, the decision was made to reopen the campground for overnight camping in 2024.
The community registration building has been renovated and is now a general store providing essential groceries and other staples. The AFN also funded two new children’s playgrounds and built the new 1,800 square foot open air Legacy Hall, a gathering place for weddings, reunions, and other public and private functions. Eventually the store will sell Indigenous crafts as well as skincare and wellness products made by a band member. The band is also looking at expanding the archaeological path that currently borders the campground, with markers that tell the Ktunaxa history.
Economic Benefits Quickly Realized
The value of the study quickly reflected in economic benefits to the community. Numerous contractors have been hired to complete renovations and construction. Purchasing new inventory for the General Store has initiated collaboration with suppliers and wholesalers, and the introduction of high-speed internet improves the campsite experience while also providing opportunities for surrounding businesses. Campground management software will manage reservations efficiently, and an architectural firm has been contracted to do a two-year masterplan for full development of the campground. A General Manager for the campground has also been hired and two additional groundskeepers will support the existing two.
The study was also the basis for increasing fees for the site’s 76 short-term renters in 2024 and 2025. With additional upgrades, the AFN hopes that up to $70,000 revenue would be realized in the 2024 season alone.
Another outcome of the study was an invitation to apply for $25,000 in funding from Indigenous Tourism BC. “These funds paid for the upgrades to the general store and the installation of the fibre optic network,” says AFN Economic Development Officer, Lisa Cannady. “We don’t think we would have received this additional funding if we hadn’t done the feasibility study. This project gave us the time to take a really good look at the options to run a successful and profitable business, balancing progress with preservation of our Indigenous history and culture.”
The AFN also formed a Limited Partnership to conduct its business activities, maintain the tax advantage held by AFN, and leverage the expertise of experienced individuals to manage the business efficiently, enhancing the First Nation’s economic development capacity, which is the ultimate goal of ETSI-BC.
More News & Stories
Township of Spallumcheen Digs Deep in Planning New Agriculture Business Hub
Since 2021, the Township of Spallumcheen has been exploring the development of a regional Agri-Hub to strengthen local food distribution and support agricultural growth. With support from ETSI-BC, the Township is developing a phased business plan to help build a resilient and profitable agricultural sector for the future.
New Tourism Strategy Transforms Grand Forks from a Highway Stop to a Destination
The Southern Interior community of Grand Forks has completed a major rebuild and relaunch of its original tourism strategy, shifting the community from being a quick stopping point on Highway 3 to a tourism destination. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the strategy served to develop new tourism assets attracting more visitors and generating increased revenue for local businesses.
Sicamous Tourism Strategy Builds a Path for Sustainable Growth
From houseboating to sledding, hiking, biking, and birding, Sicamous is the tourism hub of the Shuswap region. While summer visitors fill Sicamous with activity, off-season visitations drop sharply, prompting the community to pursue a more diversified and sustainable year-round tourism future. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the District of Sicamous Development Corporation in revitalizing the community’s tourism sector with a dynamic, five-year tourism strategy to 2030.
Forestry Strategy Positions ?aq’am First Nation for New Opportunities
Increased timber harvest allocations for BC’s First Nations are opening the door to new business opportunities for enterprising First Nations communities such as ?aq’am in the East Kootenays. With funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), ?aq’am developed a forestry business scan, a strategy to build capacity for projects made possible by the expanded forest tenure. The scan is guiding ?aq’am to increase its role in forestry as it pursues a resilient and sustainable future.
ETSI-BC Welcomes Krista Mallory as Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager
July 29, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)) is pleased to announce that Krista Mallory will be joining the organization as its new Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager effective October 1, 2026.
Wayfinding in Barriere for Economic Resilience and Growth
When a major fire destroyed the Tolko sawmill in the North Thompson region near Barriere in 2003, residents and stakeholders rallied to rebuild and redefine the community’s economic future. As the community has evolved, so have the systems that help residents and visitors navigate in and around Barriere, including a multi-phase Wayfinding Strategy launched in 2024. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is aimed at boosting visitor traffic and attracting more business investment, ensuring a strong and resilient future.
Five-Year Plan Strengthens ?aq’am Community Enterprises
?aq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the economic development arm of the ?aq’am First Nation, the largest member of Ktunaxa Nation. Known for its progressive business development goals, ACE undertook a comprehensive review of its strategic priorities. The result is a dynamic new five-year strategic plan that will guide more efficient, tactical, and resilient delivery of ACE’s programs and services. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Thompson-Okanagan Launches New Economic Development Practitioners Network
After a year of work connecting economic development practitioners across the Thompson-Okanagan, the region’s first Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is now in place. Modelled after the Kootenay Boundary EDPN created in 2014, the Thompson Okanagan EDPN includes community and municipal and First Nations economic development practitioners, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures and other stakeholders. The group came together for the first time on April 8, 2026, where they learned, shared ideas and information, and further planned future activities. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is committed to supporting both the Kootenay Boundary and Thompson-Okanagan networks of economic development practitioners.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
June 25, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is grateful for the input from partners, funding recipients, committee members and other regional stakeholders who have taken the time to help inform our next three-year Strategic Plan for 2027-30. We are also pleased to provide an update on the status of the DAAP 4.39 action item.