A decade after the Snuneymuxw First Nation in Nanaimo rejected a comprehensive treaty settlement, clinging instead to its Douglas Treaty rights, the band is settling for much less as part of an ongoing reconciliation agreement.
The B.C. government is handing over 877 hectares of timberland on Mount Benson, and a small piece of culturally significant land in Departure Bay as part of a reconciliation agreement.
The land on Mount Benson is in three parcels and comes with cutting rights. Under the reconciliation agreement, the province is also extending an operator’s agreement the Snuneymuxw band has for Newcastle Island, a popular camping and tourist attraction, for two more years.
“This agreement will provide a foundation for much-needed economic and employment opportunities for our members and nation, and is a positive step forward in our relationship with the province,” said Snuneymuxw Chief Doug White III.
“It builds on many years of effort by our elders, leaders, and members who have stood in a strong and principled manner in trying to forge a better future for our children and youth. While there remains much hard work to be done, we are hopeful that we have now started on a path that will move all of us closer to that essential goal.”
Meanwhile, the Ditidaht First Nation on Vancouver Island also signed an incremental treaty agreement that provides three parcels of land totalling 420 hectares. The land parcels are located along Nitinat Lake.
The Pacheedaht First Nation also signed an incremental agreement to receive three parcels of land totalling 596 hectares southeast of Port Renfrew. In both cases, the land will be fee simple (as opposed to crown, treaty or reserve land) and subject to federal and provincial laws.
The Snuneymuxw would have been the first band in B.C. to sign a modern treaty under the BC Treaty process, but a decade-long process collapsed after the band rejected the offer over fears of losing its tax-exempt status and giving up its Douglas Treaty rights, and the Tsawwassen First Nation became the first urban First Nation band in B.C. to sign a comprehensive treaty agreement under the BC Treaty process.
