We develop affordable housing that honours and empowers Indigenous communities.

Lu’ma Development Management (LDM) is an Indigenous-led social purpose real estate development company.

We are committed to creating sustainable and culturally-appropriate housing and infrastructure for Indigenous communities. We develop projects across Canada that benefit Indigenous Peoples and provide development services related to social housing, health, education and economic development.

  • We work closely with Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers and residents to ensure that our developments reflect the needs of the community.

    Tzeachten First Nation was facing overcrowding and their buildings were inadequate sizes to house their community members effectively.

    We worked with the community to develop a unique affordable housing project that can accommodate individuals, families and Elders. The five separate buildings also include amenities to support intergenerational living and cultural practices.

  • We weave traditional ceremonies and protocol into our project timelines.

    We honour Indigenous ways of being and knowing by building cultural blessings, ceremonies and community events directly into our development plans and construction timelines.

    In 2022, we coordinated a copper plate burial ceremony at ALT Sixth Street Indigenous and Swahili Housing Project to guide, protect and bless all those who will live in the building. Once complete, the site and landscaping will also include Indigenous and Swahili art, Indigenous plants and other cultural elements.

  • We help Indigenous communities develop land, both on and off reserve.

    We have experience navigating Indigenous Services Canada’s complex land designation process which is the regulatory process that Indigenous communities need to go through to develop land on their reserves.

    In 2021, we helped Squamish Nation designate 3 parcels of land for affordable housing which granted them control and decision-making authority over the land and supports their goal to house more members on-reserve.

  • We have experience working with Indigenous artists and integrating art into the design.

    The arts are a vital to the telling of our stories. Many of our developments include traditional design, artwork, poles, blankets and murals into the buildings.

    Sp'óq'es Lá:lém (Bird’s Nest/House) opened in 2021. Artwork by Cory Douglas adorns the facade depicting the Moon (the night guardian of the earth) which First Nations communities across Canada believe has the power to provide guidance and vision.

    A blessing ceremony and copper plate burial were also held on the site prior to construction.

  • We take a holistic approach to healing and wellness in our projects.

    The Indigenous Housing and Healing Centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside aims to re-establish a First Nations presence in a bold and inspiring way. The multi-purpose development will combine 112 affordable rental units and support services with a 32,000 square foot Healing Centre and a Food Centre.

    We were responsible for the development management and construction claims for this project, which was complex and included a pre-existing building with structural entanglements with an adjacent building. We conducted a site analysis and worked closely with the project funders and lenders, design team and construction manager to shepherd the design through a difficult construction budget environment to secure the necessary funding.

View our projects

Let us be your guide

Navigating the real estate development process can be complex and challenging. Our team will brings decades of experience to make your project vision a reality.

Our unique approach

We bring an Indigenous worldview to our projects and ground the development process, from origination to close out, in Indigenous ways of knowing and being.

Project News

We are thrilled to move into the final phase of construction for the Aboriginal Land Trust Housing and Healing Centre, a  ground-breaking project that is set to be completed in November 2025!

Lu’ma is the Coast Salish word for ‘new beginnings’

What people say about working with us

“LDM’s excellent construction claims department has been an invaluable resource ensuring a smooth construction claims process for this complex project.”

- Rupinder Cheema, CEO, Kekinow Native Housing Society

“LDM has had an excellent record helping us successfully secure funding and lending for our projects from Indigenous, municipal, provincial and federal programs and working closely with municipalities to ensure our projects move through the municipal process in a timely manner.”

- Dr. Dave Baspaly, President, Aboriginal Land Trust Society

“This has been a vision of the past chief and councils for well over a decade… A lot of families (will be) moving back home and that’s important to us… Some kids will have their own bedroom for the first time!” 

— Chief Derek Epp, Tzeachen First Nation

“As an Indigenous-led firm, LDM has been fully supportive and has worked closely with us to ensure that the best interests of the Squamish Nation have been at the centre of the projects. 

LDM has completely understood the importance of respecting Squamish cultural protocols (including Elder-led blessing ceremonies) and integrating Squamish culture, including Coast Salish artwork by North Shore and Squamish Valley artists and apprentices and the use of Squamish language signage, inside buildings and throughout the sites. 

LDM also helped facilitate meaningful discussions between Squamish Nation’s employment and training department and the construction managers on the projects to support the hiring of Nation members and businesses and supported an Indigenous conflict resolution process. 

Hiy̓ám̓ Housing has been very pleased with the expertise, knowledge and skills that LDM has brought as our development manager on these projects and looks forward to continuing to work together in future.”

— Donalene Rapada, CEO, Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society