HÍSW̱ḴE, Mavis!

We’re sharing the news that, after six years, Mavis Underwood, Tiwenomot, has wrapped up her term with the Real Estate Foundation of BC’s Board of Governors.

Mavis, a W̱SÁNEĆ Elder and former Tsawout First Nation councillor, has made enormous contributions to REFBC since she was appointed to the Board by the BC Minister of Finance in 2018. Governors and staff are deeply grateful to Mavis for generously sharing her knowledge, stories, and values at every opportunity.

“It’s hard to understate the impact Mavis has made on people, our organization, and our relationships as a Governor, wise educator, good friend, and inspirational leader,” said Mark Gifford, CEO of REFBC. “She is loved and appreciated deeply, and we are indebted to her and her family and community.”

During her time with REFBC, Mavis served as Chair of the Indigenous Leaders Advisory Circle for the Healthy Watersheds Initiative (HWI). With a $27-million investment by the Province, HWI supported 61 watershed restoration projects in 2021 and 2022. REFBC administered HWI in partnership with Watersheds BC.

Mavis was featured in We Are of Water, a graphic novel inspired by Indigenous watershed champions connected to HWI, illustrated by Chenoa Gao, and published by REFBC in 2023. She also contributed the foreword.

As a strong voice for truth and reconciliation on the Board, Mavis’s advice and support was instrumental to the development of our Transformative Actions for UNDRIP Advancement plan, prepared by REFBC UNDRIP Fellow Tara Marsden/Naxginkw, and the creation of our Indigenous Grants Stream.

“The work of the Real Estate Foundation of BC has been significant in challenging me to consider climate change and to seek hope in the face of huge challenges. I will be forever grateful to staff for their diligence and respect in helping to prepare discussion notes for the Board and for responding with compassion to hundreds of grant applications with precision and grace under pressure. The leadership from Mark from day one has helped guide all of us to work and think hard,” Mavis said.

“The relationships built throughout the province have been instrumental in facing difficult truths and in helping us to stand together as we move toward reconciliation. I appreciated following my old footsteps around the province reconnecting with many Indigenous First Nations leaders still hard at work for children, families, and communities. I was proud to be involved in working for positive social change, to contribute to modeling inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and values in relating to each other with dignity and respect, and to influence continuity of Indigenous knowledge through encouraging opportunities for Elders and youth to work together on community initiatives.”

We’re happy to report that Mavis will continue to serve as a member, appointed by REFBC, of the Joint Executive for the Watershed Security Fund. REFBC and the First Nations Water Caucus, with the First Nations Fisheries Council, are collaborating on the interim stewardship of the Fund. Created by a $100-million investment by the Province, the Fund eventually be managed by a permanent entity co-developed and co-governed with First Nations.

REFBC is overseen by a seven-member Board of Governors. The Governors are appointed by the Province of BC (3), Union of BC Municipalities (1), BC Real Estate Association (1), Real Estate Institute of BC (1), and BC Non-Profit Housing Association (1).