VICTORIA, B.C. — August 31, 2026 — Fulbright Canada celebrated outstanding Indigenous governance and innovation this week at the Victoria Forum, presenting the 2026 Honouring Nations Canada Governance and Innovation Awards to Indigenous Nations, Indigenous-led organizations and initiatives that are demonstrating the power of strong governance, visionary leadership and innovation to strengthen communities and help shape Canada’s future.
Presented by Fulbright Canada in partnership with the Victoria Forum and Vancity, the awards were presented on August 24 at Royal Roads University. The three-day Forum, held August 23–25, brought together leaders from across Canada and around the world to explore issues shaping Canada's future, with Indigenous leadership and governance among its defining themes.
The 2026 Honouring Nations Canada Award Recipients are:
- Membertou First Nation — Four decades of Indigenous-led nation building, economic development and strong governance
- Coast Funds – Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence — Indigenous-led conservation finance, stewardship and long-term protection of lands and waters
- Cedar Leaf Capital — Canada’s first Indigenous-owned investment dealer, advancing Indigenous-led finance and economic reconciliation
- Nch’?ay? Development Corporation – Sen?á?w — Indigenous-led housing, urban development and economic sovereignty
- Victoria Native Friendship Centre — Urban Indigenous leadership, community development and culturally grounded service delivery
- Shoal Lake 40 First Nation — Rebuilding community, infrastructure and opportunity after more than a century of isolation
- Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay — Indigenous-governed health and social services rooted in Cree culture, autonomy and well-being
- Raven Indigenous Outcomes Funds — Indigenous-led social finance, innovation and community investment
- Indigenous Works – Three Sisters Model — Strengthening governance architecture and advancing Indigenous participation in the economy
- BC Assembly of First Nations – Indigenous Intern Leadership Program — Building the next generation of Indigenous leaders through mentorship, experience and capacity development
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park - Indigenous-led cultural renewal, land stewardship and governance
Together, the award recipients reflect the breadth and strength of Indigenous innovation and leadership across Canada, with work spanning economic reconciliation, finance, housing, health, conservation, education, youth leadership, cultural revitalization and community well-being. Their achievements demonstrate how strong institutions, innovation and Indigenous self-determination can create lasting benefits for communities and contribute to Canada's future.
“We are proud to recognize and celebrate the remarkable work of these eleven Indigenous-led organizations. Their leadership and achievements demonstrate the power of good governance, community-driven innovation, and a deep commitment to creating meaningful and lasting social impact,” said Dr. Michael Hawes, President and CEO of Fulbright Canada.
“It was a great honour for us to present the Fulbright Canada Honouring Nations Awards, recognizing the remarkable impact that Indigenous Nations and Indigenous-led organizations are having across Canada. Their success reflects the importance of strong institutions, capable governance, visionary leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to the communities they serve. Together, they are driving meaningful change, strengthening communities, and creating impact that reaches far beyond them,” said Robin McLay, Director of Honouring Nations Canada and Special Advisor to the Fulbright Canada CEO.
Honouring Nations Canada is a national initiative of Fulbright Canada that recognizes outstanding examples of Indigenous governance, leadership, innovation, and nation-building across First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Inspired by, and developed in collaboration with, the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, the initiative celebrates Indigenous-led solutions that strengthen communities, advance self-determination, and contribute to reconciliation.
The Victoria Forum provided a national and international platform for the awards ceremony. Hosted by Royal Roads University and organized in partnership with the Senate of Canada, the Forum brought together leaders from government, Indigenous communities, academia, philanthropy, business, civil society and international organizations to address issues including Indigenous governance and economic reconciliation, sustainability, Arctic and northern cooperation, energy security, innovation and economic development.
The 2026 awards were generously supported by Vancity, which played an important role in making this year’s gathering possible. Vancity’s longstanding commitment to community investment, social finance and Indigenous economic development reflects a shared commitment to advancing Indigenous economic opportunity and innovation.
Several Honouring Nations Canada recipients also participated in panel discussions, roundtables and plenary sessions throughout the Forum, bringing Indigenous perspectives and Indigenous-led approaches into conversations about Canada's future.
The 2026 awards were generously supported by Vancity, whose commitment to community investment, social finance and Indigenous economic development reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Indigenous leadership and advancing economic reconciliation.
About Honouring Nations Canada
Honouring Nations Canada is a national awards and learning initiative of Fulbright Canada that recognizes Indigenous governments, organizations, institutions, and initiatives that create lasting social, economic, cultural, and environmental change through strong governance, innovation, and self-determination.
Learn more: https://www.fulbright.ca/programs/honouring-nations-canada
About Fulbright Canada
The Fulbright Program is a merit-based residential academic exchange program established in 1946 to promote mutual understanding, support academic excellence, and contribute to peace, prosperity, and stability. The program is widely regarded as the gold standard in educational exchange and a powerful instrument of public diplomacy.
The Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America (aka Fulbright Canada) administers the Fulbright program in Canada, providing exchange opportunities for exceptional students, scholars, and researchers in the two countries.
Learn more: www.fulbright.ca
Media Contact
Stacey Vincent
Public Affairs Officer, Fulbright Canada
svincent@fulbright.ca
613.688.5514