Snuneymuxw Chief Michael Wyse and director of development at Seacliff Properties Georgia Desjardins sign the historical land transfer agreement on May 18th, at the Snuneymuxw Recreation and Wellness Centre Gymnasium. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW).

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

historic land transfer

100+ acres including ancient village site returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation

May 18, 2023 | 3:31 PM

NANAIMO — Following a signing ceremony, 102 acres of land was officially transferred back to Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN).

This is the follow-up of an agreement made in June of last year between SFN and Seacliff Properties, to eventually return up to 263 acres of land adjacent to the Nanaimo River Estuary and part of the Sandstone Development.

SFN chief Michael Wyse said it’s a historic day for SFN to see this land transferred back, particularly the ancient village site known as kwula’xw.

“Kwula’xw is a place where our people lived off the river so its got vast history. People fish there annually and looked after their families. A lot of family histories, different parts of that river where families lived during the year and looked after their families.”

The signing was made official during a ceremony on Thursday, May 18, featuring members of the public, SFN, Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson, and Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron.

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Wyse expanded on how precious this land is for their people.

“We look after our land and it’s thinking about the unborn, our futures ahead of us to have that opportunity to live on those lands, to look after the lands, and to also live off the land as well.”

The Sandstone project map showing the current and future locations of SFN land. (SFN/Seacliff Properties)

SFN and Seacliff have been in talks for about four years before this agreement was made official, with this land transfer announcement one of the first steps in the process.

“Seacliff has been a great partner….that’s the way business is moving and we’re very excited and happy that Seacliff has come to the table and worked with us in that way,” Wyse said.

Georgia Desjardins, Seacliff Properties director of development, said the 102 acres represents about 14 per cent of the Sandstone site.

“…We’re going to continue working together moving forward to make Sandstone a reality and bring much-needed housing and importantly, much-needed economic and business opportunities to the mid-Island region as well.”

She said this is the first part of the three different aspects of their agreement. The next step is to transfer another 25 acres of land following successful rezoning, along with an option to purchase 150 acres more.

That would total 263 acres of land which could be returned to the SFN.

Desjardins said they hope to be in front of Nanaimo City Council some time this summer to rezone the 25 acres.

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.

A lack of land has long been an issue for SFN, who’ve lobbied for additional space for housing, cultural, institutional and economic opportunities.

Under half of SFN members live on-reserve, encompassing less than 800 acres spread over several reserves in south Nanaimo home to about 700 members.

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