About Us

After collaborating on projects together for over 30 years, Lu’ma Native Housing Society and Terra Social Purpose Real Estate formed Lu’ma Development Management (LDM) in 2017. We held a blanket ceremony to honour our shared history and to celebrate the two organizations joining together for a common purpose.

This unique partnership brings together decades of lived and professional experience that spans hundreds of projects. Our team’s professional and highly-skilled technical expertise combined with our lived experience and cultural heritage enables us to take a unique approach to projects.

We build safe, affordable and culturally-appropriate housing for Indigenous communities.

We take an innovative and collaborative approach to meet the needs of Indigenous People across Canada.

We deliver real estate development services that promote social, economic and environmental sustainability.

We are Indigenous-led and operated.

We bring to our projects:

  • An Indigenous world view and respect for traditional ways of knowing

  • The ability to act as a translator and mediator between cultures, all levels of government, local agencies and communities

  • A practice of deep listening

  • An understanding of how reconciliation and de-colonization practices impact project funding, construction and regulations both on- and off-reserve

  • Respect for the land and the belief that nature and humans are interconnected

  • A commitment to building safe and affordable homes and facilities that connect Indigenous people to their communities, cultural practices and histories

Developing affordable housing can be complex.

Our team holds rich knowledge and decades of experience in development management. We act as guides and translators, helping clients navigate every step of the development process.

We plan projects, secure funding and can help:

  • Identify and clarify project objectives

  • Create affordable housing needs assessments 

  • Coordinate cultural ceremonies

  • Build proposal packages for lending and funding agencies

  • Design financial models to analyze development options, operating costs/revenues, financing options, cash flows, loan repayment systems, etc.

  • Oversee the artist selection and procurement process

We provide support from beginning to end and will:

  • Provide support during occupancy, move-ins and establishing operational management systems

  • Hold builders accountable for deficiencies and follow-up on construction warranty issues

  • Coordinate traditional ceremonies to honour and welcome new residents

We support the development process and assist clients to:

  • Manage the construction claims process

  • Navigate the complex approvals, permits and rezoning processes

  • Foster relationships between stakeholders and act as a liaison between governments and Indigenous communities

  • Resolve construction issues as they arise.