A project between the K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation and Courtenay鈥檚 Kus-kus-sum recently won the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.鈥檚 Land Award for their freshwater project.

The project between Project Watershed, K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation (KFN) and City of Courtenay, Kus-kus-sum, is one that models sustainable, equitable and socially just land use and real estate. Kus-kus-sum was one of 21 finalists. 

The award was presented to Zeb Savoie of KFN, Caitlin Pierzchalski and Brodie Guy of Project Watershed, and Bob Wells of the City of Courtenay on June 13 at the Real Estate Foundation of B.C.鈥檚 gala. 

In the acceptance speech, Pierzchalski thanked the contributors to the project, elected officials, members of the KFN, City of Courtenay and Project Watershed for their efforts and contributions to the making the project possible. Also thanked were community members and volunteers that helped Kus-kus-sum. 

Overall, the team of volunteers was made up of more than 250 people, 586 students and 3,100 donors. 

鈥淜us-kus-sum is much more than a modern ecological restoration project for the Nation 鈥� it鈥檚 also an important historic KFN settlement. The traditional village of Kus-kus-sum was across the river from the current restoration site, and dates back to at least 400 B.C.,鈥� said Savoie.

Mayor Bob Wells also spoke and expressed how proud the City of Courtenay was to support the project.

鈥淓ver since Kus-kus-sum was announced in 2017, there has been a groundswell of community support to restore these culturally significant and environmentally important lands. This award is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our project partners, volunteers and donors.鈥�

Jesse Housty and K.C. Hall were also recognized for their art contributions to the project, including a poem and painting to celebrate the winners. 

The night was emceed by award-winning journalist Angela Sterrit Lu Algaxit Ts鈥檌m Xsblist.

It is hoped that Kus-kus-sum will be completed by winter of 2025/2026.