Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse during an announcement on Thursday, Oct 16, where almost 200 acres of federal land in Nanaimo was officially returned to the Nation. (Submitted photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

big plans

Former Department of National Defence lands in Nanaimo officially transferred to SFN

Oct 16, 2025 | 1:07 PM

NANAIMO — Following a prior federal government pledge to relinquish nearly 200 acres of vacant land, Snuneymuxw First Nation has officially assumed control of strategically located properties with intentions to oversee a substantial development.

During a Thursday, Oct 16, ceremony at SFN’s Health and Wellness Centre, three parcels of federal land within the City of Nanaimo totalling 194.7 acres has been absorbed by SFN through the Addition to Reserve (ATR) process.

An emotional SFN Chief Mike Wyse said the intention is to create a mixed-use development with 100 per cent of the profits generated going directly back to SFN, including housing of various densities, commercial space, as well as cultural and recreational opportunities.

“We’ve had the smallest land base per capita in B.C. To get lands back that’s going to provide for our Nation members to come home and potentially set roots here in Nanaimo is significant…We’re going to have other opportunities to create revenue for economic development that’s going to be able to produce housing in the future.”

The land, known as te’tuxwtun, would see most of the development occur on about 90 acres bordering the Nanaimo Parkway, Fifth St. and Nanaimo Lakes Rd., opposite Vancouver Island University (VIU). (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The transfer of the land, formally referred to as the Department of National Defence (DND) lands, straddles the Nanaimo Parkway at Fifth St., and was officially transferred at the end of September after a ministerial order by Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty.

An entertainment, resort and “sports area” adjacent to the Nanaimo Parkway is envisioned, although no specifics have been revealed.

Wyse also said he plans to sit down with VIU and talk about their needs in the area, such as housing, and whether SFN will be able to provide in the future.

While SFN member feedback shaped future development plans, the Nation revealed a vote will take place with a recommendation to vote “yes” to a mixed usage of a portion of the three chunks of land.

“This is no small development; it is the largest development the central Island has seen in modern times. A multi-billion-dollar project that requires decades to plan and build out,” Wyse said.

A draft report showing the potential uses for the almost 200 acres of land, now officially SFN territory. (Submitted)

Wyse also spoke about his late mother and former SFN chief Viola Wyse, who tried to negotiate for these lands in 2009, with the federal government at the time allegedly telling her the former DND land would never become reserve land.

With tears in his eyes, Wyse said this is only the beginning of bringing his mother’s legacy to fruition.

“It feels like we’re bringing some of these items across the finish line for her. She was a very strong leader for our community and very strong trailblazer. She’d be a-hootin’ and a-hollering. She’d be very happy today and thankful. She’s a very humble person.”

The now SFN-owned property was home to the Nanaimo Indian Hospital, which operated between 1946 and 1967.

Former SFN chief Viola Wyse, whose photo is prominently displayed inside the SFN’s Health and Wellness Centre.(Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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