BC Business
Partnerships between local governments and First Nations are flowering across B.C., to mutual benefit.
“Community to community” partnerships between municipalities and neighbouring First Nations can create economic opportunities in various different industries. The collaborations are mutually beneficial and offer prospects for the future. Consider a recent agreement between the Province of British Columbia, the Leq’á:mel, Matsqui and Sumas First Nations and the City of Mission that will return traditional lands to the First Nations and establish new public parklands and recreation areas.
Leq’á:mel Chief Alice Thompson, Matsqui Chief Alice McKay and Sumas Chief Dalton Silver were joined by Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Paul Horn, mayor of Mission, for the signing of Í:xel Sq’eq’ó, a Hul’qumi’num phrase that translates to English as “Together we paddle.”
Unique in that it brings together First Nations, the province and local government, the agreement will see the provincial government transfer approximately 60 hectares of Crown land to the LMS Society, which represents the three First Nations. The lands will be subdivided to create a park parcel of approximately 50 hectares, which will be leased to Mission to manage for public use as a community park and recreational area, and two development parcels, to be developed by the First Nations to support much-needed housing in the area and increase economic and social opportunities.
A park management plan will be collaboratively developed by LMS and Mission to maintain the natural character of the area, protect sensitive environmental elements, enhance cultural and historic understanding, and guide improvements over time.
“From the First Nations perspective, since the land is now in their ownership as fee simple property, there is a considerable amount of land now freed up to develop into housing and commercial ventures,” says Barclay Pitkethly, deputy chief administrative officer for the City of Mission. “From the city’s perspective, because the land is being transferred as fee simple, and not an addition to reserve lands, the tax implications stay with the city, as does the servicing. Collectively, the LMS Society and the City of Mission are also placing the majority of the lands into park designation that will be jointly co-managed via a newly created joint park management plan.”
Then there is the signing of a friendship agreement by the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation Council, concluding a two-year relationship building project. The agreement was signed at a celebration at Minette Bay West Park on June 2, 2024.
The agreement, which is named gi guáƛap nis (meaning working together/ helping each other), is the result of the work the district and Haisla have done through the Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI) program. CEDI is a national program delivered jointly by CANDO (the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
The program in Kitimat, launched in 2022, is a facilitated, collaborative process to approach economic development opportunities through a respectful, equitable partnership involving the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation Council. As the facilitated CEDI process ends, the parties set the framework for continuing work.
“Our friendship agreement means we will always have a space to share ideas and plans for thoughtful development in the territory,” says chief councillor Crystal Smith. “All our communities benefit from this new way we can work together in an environment of respect and inclusion.”
With participation in this program having ended in June 2024, the District of Kitimat and Haisla Nation Council have created a five-year Joint Strategic Plan that lays out actions that will be embarked on together moving forward. The efforts won recognition of the partnership through a BCEDA Award for Economic Reconciliation—Partnership on economic development programs and strategy development.
The goal for both governments was to build a sustainable partnership and foster relationship growth through economic development. Over the past two years, the partnership developed principles and terms of reference to guide their discussions. Through their work together, the parties have increased collaborative programming, incorporated Haisla art on the newly completed Haisla Bridge, launched an Indigenous hiring program at the district and created a new Indigenous relations manager position at the district.
The Ktunaxa Nation’s ʔaqam Community Enterprises and the City of Cranbrook form another example of a community-to- community partnership. Adjacent to the Canadian Rockies International Airport are 100 acres of land that the two organizations are developing together, in part for a renewable energy project. The parties are also behind a new interpretative centre that will serve as a visitor centre as well as a cultural centre as part of its tourism plan.
“The vision for the infrastructure is to tell the story of the Ktunaxa and to create a workplace for our artisans to show their skills as well as to manufacture and sell their artwork,” says Janice Alpine, the business development officer/tourism engagement with the Ktunaxa Nation Council Economic & Investment Sector.
Adds Darren Brewer, business development officer with the City of Cranbrook: “Indigenous tourism is an underserved and emerging sector in the tourism space.” •
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