Williams Lake FN | Cannabis Growth
Leading with Vision in the Regulated Cannabis Industry
Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) is showing how Indigenous communities can thrive in the regulated cannabis industry—by leading with innovation, integrity, and community impact. With support from the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund, WLFN has launched two groundbreaking cannabis ventures that are creating jobs, building local economies, and setting a new standard for Indigenous business leadership.
What’s Happening in Williams Lake First Nation
It began with Unity Cannabis, the first Indigenous-owned retail cannabis store authorized in BC under a Section 119 agreement. What started with one shop has expanded into multiple locations—including Merritt, Penticton, and Lac La Hache—bringing high-quality products to market and creating employment across the province.
But WLFN didn’t stop at retail. In 2022, they opened Sugar Cane Cannabis, the province’s first farm-to-gate cannabis facility. This state-of-the-art space allows customers to buy directly from the producer, creating transparency and quality assurance in every sale. Sugar Cane now supplies their retail network and stands as a model for vertical integration in cannabis.
As shared in the video, “We’ve created something that benefits our people—not just financially, but in pride, opportunity, and growth.”
How the ICBF Helped Make It Happen
The BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund was instrumental in supporting both Unity and Sugar Cane’s development. From planning and licensing to infrastructure and expansion, the fund provided critical financial support for turning vision into reality.
Why This Matters for BC First Nations
Across BC, First Nations are exploring how to enter and shape emerging industries in ways that align with community values. WLFN’s cannabis ventures show what’s possible when Indigenous-led businesses are backed by funding, strategy, and self-determination.
Their story is not just about cannabis—it’s about sovereignty, entrepreneurship, and building a stronger future from the ground up.
About the BC Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund (ICBF)
The ICBF provides non-repayable funding to First Nation communities, Indigenous businesses, and entrepreneurs in BC who want to participate in the regulated cannabis sector. Eligible projects include planning, retail, cultivation, production, marketing, and infrastructure.