Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse (middle left) and Premier David Eby (middle right) signs drums as part of a celebration in Nanaimo on Wednesday, June 21. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

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‘Give them the opportunity to come home:’ housing partnership bolstered between province & SFN

Jun 21, 2023 | 7:59 PM

NANAIMO — “We have members that live in the States, a big number of our membership live down in the Seattle area, Vancouver, Victoria – we’re going to give them the opportunity to come home now.”

Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse sees an ongoing relationship between SFN, the province and BC Housing as an opportunity to improve quality of life and community of the people he represents.

Wyse, alongside Premier David Eby celebrated National Indigenous People’s Day with a dinner at the Coast Bastion Hotel on Wednesday, June 21. It was also billed as a re-affirming of an agreement first signed in 2021 to work together on housing projects in the region.

“We continue on a path alongside BC Housing where Snuneymuxw knowledge has been embraced as a way to strengthen housing outcomes for all who live in this sacred territory,” Wyse added. “Our primary focus is on ensuring affordable housing options are available for our people.”

Seven projects are in various stages of development and completion with the partnership between the province and SFN.

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One of the largest, Te-tuxwtun, is envisioned for the Harewood neighbourhood on a trio of lots along Fifth St. and Howard Ave.

The three properties are due to see 390 rental units constructed, according to a recently released draft concept plan.

Wyse said the type of housing being developed is being tailored to their changing demographics.

“In the last 50 years in my time, families have shrunk so the need for bigger homes is not as greatly needed. We’ve already taken the steps to provide smaller suites for single people. Two kids and two working parents, maybe they just need a rancher not necessarily a two storey home.”

Seven projects in various stages of development, part of a partnership between the province and Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Other housing projects to feature in the city’s south end include La’lum’utul, an affordable housing complex near the Nanaimo River, as well as Xpey Sehlni, a short and long-term housing unit for women and children fleeing violence.

More projects are planned along Haliburton, Franklyn and Selby St. near Nanaimo’s downtown, along with a re-built property in the 600 block of Kennedy St. at a former nuisance home, which is expected to begin welcoming residents in August.

SFN was previously announced as the operator of a site at 355 Nicol St., an envisioned 35-unit complex.

Initiatives such as this partnership with SFN run separate to the province’s wider housing strategy, focused on higher inventories of affordable homes.

Eby said however, the focus must be on First Nations due to what he said were “a couple of distinct characteristics.”

“Indigenous communities across the province, one is the fastest growing youth population in the province…and so [building] housing that’s appropriate for youth and making sure that youth services are available across the province for Indigenous communities as part of that housing.”

He added Indigenous people make up a disproportionate number of those homeless in B.C.

“Overcrowding in housing, not enough housing available in community, people leaving to find housing somewhere else and ending up outside in hub cities across the province.”

A short term goal of the partnership is to open 300 units of housing in the region, for Snuneymuxw First Nation members, by 2028.

Eby and Wyse exchanged gifts of a burl bowl and a metallic art piece representing the Snuneymuxw Long House, respectively. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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