Three parcels of land totaling 194.7 acres have been added to Snuneymuxw First Nation reserve lands.
Chief Mike Wyse announced the transfer today alongside federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty.
“These te’tuxwtun lands have always been Snuneymuxw. Our sacred connection can never be broken,” Wyse said in a news release. “Nearly two centuries of big work and perseverance have led us to this moment. On behalf of our Nation, I thank Minister Alty and her team for their commitment and dedication. The return of these te’tuxwtun lands affirms the brilliance of our Ancestors, the strength of our Treaty, and the enduring truth that Snuneymuxw never surrendered our land.”
The land was formerly owned by the Department of National Defence. According to the release, Snuneymuxw’s vision for the lands includes a mixed-use development with housing and commercial spaces.
“The development of these lands will have a significant and lasting impact on the regional economy,” Wyse said. “Today, the path of reconciliation we are walking alongside Crown-Indigenous Relations is leading to meaningful progress and historic outcomes. We will continue to bring forward economic results with Minister Alty and all other willing partners. As we move forward, our relationship with te’tuxwtun will continue to deepen and grow, for our children, and all generations to follow.”
