‘Really good discussions:’ SFN eyes key Nanaimo property during talks with feds
NANAIMO — The chief negotiator of Snuneymuxw First Nation is confident an agreement is nearing for the band to assume 250-acres in south Nanaimo from the federal government.
Douglas White III Kwul’a’sul’tun said productive discussions with federal crown-Indigenous relations minister Carolyn Bennett occurred during a recent meeting and tour of the Department of National Defence property, adjacent to the VIU campus.
White, an SFN councillor, said the strategically located property would help land-starved SFN gain badly needed room to help serve their large population in a number of ways.
“Primarily economic development and housing I would expect, but we haven’t really done a very specific analysis or planning in that regard.”