By Ian Holmes

Nanoose First Nation lobbying for waterfront park

Aug 29, 2016 | 12:53 PM

NANAIMO — The chief of Nanoose First Nation has the attention of the Department of National Defence.

Brent Edwards is pushing to convert a portion of nearby Department of National Defence property on the CF METR site into a national park.

He says a section of waterfront property at Wallis Point directly across from their breakwater is not being used and would serve as an excellent national park.

“I don’t see why they can’t be making a portion of that into a water accessible park. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and we need to be taking the Department of National Defence to task on that,” says Edwards.

He doesn’t believe it’s feasible to have their traditional territory returned, but says leaving the property as is, doesn’t make sense.

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The Department of National Defence is familiar with Edwards’ request and provided the following statement to our newsroom via senior communications advisor Evan Koronewski.

“The Department of National Defence (DND) is aware of the request from the Nanoose First Nation. While the CFMETR site continues to be required for operational purposes by DND, our officials are exploring possibilities to accommodate the First Nations’ request. A commitment was made to chief Edwards that progress on this work would be reported to him late September 2016.”

Edwards points out that the Wallis Point site was once accessible to the public, but that changed over the years.

“They started putting up signs saying you’re not allowed to access this and that. I don’t understand why they’re doing that.”

Edwards is challenging the DND to explain why his request can’t be met.

“Let’s open it up. There’s not much public land around here.”