(l-R) Jeany Lee of Seacliff Properties, SFN acting chief Bill Yoachim, SFN coun. Erralyn Joseph. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

land transfer

Snuneymuxw First Nation receives land as part of Sandstone development

Jun 22, 2022 | 4:09 PM

NANAIMO — A land transfer commitment from a private developer to Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) is seen as a critical step in expanding opportunities for the local First Nation.

During a Wednesday, June 22 signing ceremony an agreement was formalized for SFN to assume control of up to 263 acres of land adjacent to the Nanaimo River Estuary from Seacliff Properties.

The agreement between the two parties includes 88 acres of agricultural land reserve (ALR) land, located on a former ancient village site, back to SFN control, which the band intends to reclassify as reserve land.

Upon successful rezoning with the City of Nanaimo, an additional 25 acres will be transferred to SFN, while there is an option for SFN to buy another 150 acres at the north end of the Sandstone development off Cedar Rd.

An emotional SFN acting chief Bill Yoachim said the announcement helps Snuneymuxw address their severe land base deficit.

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“We’re the smallest land-based First Nation in the country per capita…This may not seem like a huge deal, but it is to us. It is very important to our people.”

The entirety of the area shaded in orange could potentially be transferred from Seacliff Properties to Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Keycorp)

An estimated 700 SFN members, or 40 per cent of the band’s total membership, live on-reserve due to a lack of land with under 800 acres spread over several reserves.

Erralyn Joseph, SFN coun. and president of the band’s economic development arm, said establishing additional lands will help SFN flourish as part of the Sandstone project.

“Building our land base for our Nation to what it once was is very important for housing needs, for infrastructure, all kinds of needs, but most importantly bringing people back to our territory so they can live and thrive,” Joseph said.

A mix of single-family and ground-level multi-family housing units are planned for most of the land which could end up in SFN control under the Seacliff Properties master plan.

In addition to more land for housing, Joseph said the commitment from Seacliff Properties removes barriers which had boxed SFN out from many economic opportunities.

“It’s a significant meaning for our people after we’ve been alienated from these village sites for over 167 years. Our people lived on the land at the time before they were unlawfully removed and it returns it back to our Nation.”

Seacliff Properties’ master plan envisions 2,200 housing units on more than 720 acres as part of a mixed use development to be located at Nanaimo’s southernmost boundary.

Commercial, industrial and park land uses are envisioned as part of the project, which is expected to take 20 years to complete, according to a Seacliff representative.

Nanaimo City Council endorsed a required official community plan amendment in February for the project to continue advancing toward the construction phase.

A rezoning application to create development areas for the Sandstone development is under review by City staff.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes