Leaders from the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As, and Stz'uminus First Nations provided a welcome to those participating at the final Salish Storm practice on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, following their first year of the Indigenous-led Salish Storm hockey program. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

building pathways

Stz’uminus First Nation signs reconciliation deal, includes future land acquisitions

Jul 20, 2022 | 3:02 PM

LADYSMITH — A new reconciliation agreement between Stz’uminus First Nation and the B.C. government is a big step toward both parties identifying provincial Crown land for transfer.

The agreement establishes commitments between the two parties to work together on community priorities and future land transfers as well as providing support for economic development.

“There has been a lot of hard work that has gone into the negotiation of this agreement,” said Stz’uminus Chief Roxanne Harris. “Stz’uminus looks forward to the next steps in the implementation.”

The government also committed to as much as $28.5 million to land transfer agreements which will be an immense undertaking over the course of several years, according to a B.C. government news release.

$3 million in immediate financial benefit will back the development, including the acquisition of private lands within the band’s territory. It also sets the stage to negotiate future agreements related to forestry and collaborative resource stewardship.

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Minister of indigenous relations and reconciliation Murray Rankin stated this is a way to help build new pathways to reconciliation.

“By working collaboratively with Stz’uminus, we have come up with an agreement that includes a framework for future discussions related to revenue sharing, self-government, increasing Stz’uminus’ participation in the forestry sector, cultural, economic and social supports, something that is deeply important to both the Nation and the Province.”

$10 million over five years will also be provided to support Stz’uminus-led remediation in key Crown land areas of Ladysmith Harbour.

Stz’uminus has approximately 1,300 members, roughly half of which live on reserve.

The Nation’s territory, which is a collective assertion with the member Nations of the Quw’utsun Nation, extends along eastern Vancouver Island, the southern Gulf Islands, and the lower Fraser River.

The full reconciliation agreement between Stz’uminus First Nation and the province can be viewed here.

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