A downtown Nanaimo village site will be returned to the Snuneymeux First Nation.
In a release, the BC Government says they are returning 2.67-hectares of Millstone River Village to the nation under the Sarlequun Snuneymeux treaty of 1854, making it an important milestone in upholding treaty promises.
Chief Mike Wyse says the return of the property carries a spiritual and cultural significance to the nation.
“This village is integral to our way of life and is fundamental to our traditional legal, economic and social systems,” said Wyse.
“Today marks an example of how a shared pathway will bring transformative success to Snuneymuxw, Nanaimo and the entire region.”
They say this return comes as the property, which had a hotel, parking lot, and other businesses, is in a state of decay because of a lack of development in the last 10 years.
Along with the return, $1 million will be invested to security infrastructure, demolition, and remediation costs for the site, with hopes it would benefit under the Nation’s control.
