197 acres of land in south Nanaimo has been officially returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation, in a move referred to as a "down payment" on future reconciliation. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

rightful owners

‘Snuneymuxw, we did it:’ nearly 200 acres of former Camp Nanaimo land returned to First Nation

Jan 27, 2024 | 3:07 PM

NANAIMO — It was an event dubbed historic, as well as a day of healing, celebration and reconciliation.

Representatives from federal, provincial, regional and local government, along with Snuneymuxw First Nation gathered at Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School on Saturday, Jan. 27, to mark the official return of 197 acres of land in south Nanaimo to its rightful owners.

Chief Mike Wyse told the gathered crowd in the school’s gymnasium, the return means healing and reconnection to the land can commence and would restore “a little bit of harmony and balance to our nation.”

“Today we celebrate the rightful return of 80.09 hectares or 197 acres of Te’tuxwtun, formally the Camp Nanaimo lands to us and it will be transferred as reserve land. Snuneymuxw, we did it. Huy ch q’a.”

A map of the affected lands and their intended use by Snuneymuxw First Nation. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Included in the transfer are lands between Fifth St., Wakesiah Ave. and Hwy. 19, as well as three parcels west of the Nanaimo Parkway along College Dr.

Previous uses for the land included by the Department of National Defence, as well as the former Nanaimo Indian Hospital.

Future development planned includes gathering spaces for community and cultural use, residential areas, business development resources, health and wellness facilities as well as additional commercial uses.

Wyse said Snuneymuxw’s history with colonialism was “filled with tragedy, pain and discrimination”.

He praised the work done by past councils and First Nation Chiefs, in particular his late-mother Chief Viola Wyse.

Her work through developing protocol agreements with local governments and groups paved the way for more comprehensive discussions, including Saturday’s announcement.

“It’s an emotional day for Snuneymuxw, knowing the history of that piece of property but also the opportunity moving forward gives us excitement.”

He added Saturday’s signing came after “170 years of alienation”, referring to a treaty signed in 1854, and over 30 years of negotiations with countless governmental administrations.

Through all of it, Wyse said Snuneymuxw held strong.

“In 2003, the federal government at the time flagged the Camp Nanaimo lands to be set aside from Snuneymuxw. The Canadian government initially intended to use the Camp Nanaimo lands as incentive, asking us to give up our rights and title under our treaty of 1854, to sign a new treaty.”

Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse presented a hand-crafted drum of federal Crown-Indigenous Relations minister Gary Anandasangaree. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Signing the agreement alongside Wyse was Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations Canada Gary Anandasangaree.

He said this is the first of what should be many more steps and parcels of land returned to the First Nation.

“This agreement is an interim measure, which means there are many many more pieces that we need to do. This is a first important step, in many ways a down payment towards this relationship that we need to rebuild. The process of rebuilding that relationship is about building trust.”

Anandasangaree added this was the second such land return on Vancouver Island in recent history, with negotiations ongoing for more in the future.

Searches of the former hospital site have long been planned, however Wyse confirmed none had taken place yet.

He’s optimistic searches of the property to discover hidden burial sites would be able to take place in the near future.

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