forming the trust

In the early 1990s, residents, local officials and representatives from regional districts and tribal councils joined together to successfully negotiate with the Province for a share of the Treaty revenues and to secure benefits for the people of the Basin. In July 1995, the Columbia Basin Trust Act was passed into BC Government legislation.

We honour those who saw an opportunity to create this unique, regional organization that would support the efforts by the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being in the region most affected by the Treaty.

No one could have imagined all that was possible. Thank you to those who persevered towards the idea, the dream, and participated in meetings, conversations and symposia, and to those who represented and honoured the desires of all Basin residents to create a new future through Columbia Basin Trust.

Want to learn more about the history of the Trust? Watch the Forming the Trust video.

our current plan

Columbia Basin Trust exists to support the efforts of the people of the Columbia Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being.

We take our lead from the people of the Basin. In 2020 a new plan was developed to guide how the Trust would focus its efforts, while continuing to respond to emerging issues in the region and pursuing our existing work in social, economic and environmental initiatives. The plan is expiring at the of 2023.

our story

The Trust was created in 1995 to support efforts by the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well-being in the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin—the region most affected by the Columbia River Treaty.

basin stories

Remarkable stories of people and places in the Columbia Basin.

contact us

Have a question, comment or accessibility consideration? Email future@ourtrust.org.

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