The Snuneymuxw First Nation and the province have completed the transfer of 212 acres of land on Mount Benson East south of Nanaimo.
Known as Te’tuxwtun, the land transfer is the first step in the implementation of the 2020 British Columbia Land Transfer Agreement. A further 2,882 hectares of land will be transferred to the Snuneymuxw in the near future.
The land transfer also helps support the implementation of the Saarlequun Snuneymuxw Treaty of 1854.
SEE ALSO: Developer gives land to Snuneymuxw with potential transfer of more
“Our mission is clear: continue building on our economic growth and secure a prosperous future for generations to come,” says Snuneymuxw Chief Mike Wyse in a statement.
“There remains over 2,882 hectares of our village to come back to us as part of the agreement and we will continue to work with the minister to enable this transfer for the benefit of our people.”
The Mount Benson East area is a heavily forested section of land located south of Nanaimo. It is currently part of the nation’s Petroglyph Development Corporation land holdings and is also part of the Nation’s forest management program.
“Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Mount Benson East lands hold much opportunity for the Nation to create new economic activity in forestry, while also protecting wildlife habitat,” says Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
“This land transfer represents another step in our relationship. It will foster transformative change toward self-government and bring stability and prosperity to everyone in the Mid-Island region.”
The Mount Benson East land transfer is the first of its kind under the 2020 British Columbia Land Transfer Agreement.
The Nation and the Province are pursuing two more land transfers with the Mount Benson North and Mount Mackay parcels of land.
READ ALSO: ‘Frustrated and disheartened’: Snuneymuxw First Nation oppose Nanaimo development
Cole Sorenson
