Reconciliation between Snuneymuxw First Nation and British Columbia
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Overview
Who: Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Coast Region
What: Returning land to the Snuneymuxw First Nation
Where: Province-wide
Why: To further reconciliation between the province and Snuneymuxw First Nation
How: Online and in person
Engagement Summary
The Province of British Columbia and Snuneymuxw First Nation have reached two agreements that will bring economic opportunities to the central Vancouver Island region and help support a strong and future for Snuneymuxw First Nation and its members.
The Land Transfer Agreement will return ownership of two areas of culturally and economically significant Crown land in the Nanaimo area to Snuneymuxw First Nation. Both agreements build on a previous Reconciliation Agreement signed in 2013, and the strong foundation provided by the Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854. The agreements will help bring economic opportunities for people and bring more clarity for industry operating in Snuneymuxw’s traditional territory.
For more information, please read the Snuneymuxw Agreement Fact Sheet
Results
Crown land in the Nanaimo region is quite limited and while Snuneymuxw is one of the largest First Nations in the province by population, it has one of the smallest reserve land bases in B.C. compared to how many people belong to the Nation. The Province and Snuneymuxw First Nation have completed negotiations that will return a total of 3,100 hectares of Crown land on Mt. Benson and Mt. McKay near the City of Nanaimo to the Nation. Before lands are officially transferred and returned back to Snuneymuxw First Nation, the Nation and the Province must take a number of steps. Consultations with neighboring First Nations on the land transfers are a priority. The process to transfer the land parcels to Snuneymuxw First Nation will occur incrementally over the next two years.
Public input on current recreational uses has fostered important relationships between Snuneymuxw and recreational user groups on Mount McKay, such as the Back Country Horesmen of BC. The Nation and the Province will continue to keep the public informed and get input as plans for the land transfer are developed.
• Read the full Reconciliation Agreement
More information on the history of reconciliation with Snuneymuxw Nation
Related engagements
