First Nations members claim lack of consultation on Vancouver land deal

First Nations leaders and federal government representatives announced the redevelopment of a mostly empty piece of former crown land in Vancouver Saturday, but members of the Squamish Nation say they weren't adequately consulted over the multi-million purchase.

In 2014, Canada Lands entered into a 50 per cent partnership with a coalition of local First Nations — Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh — to purchase the Heather Street lands from the federal government.

The 8.5-hectare parcel of crown land is mostly known as a base of operations for the RCMP, who have a had a presence on the lands since 1920, when it became their provincial headquarters.

Local First Nations claim the area as part of their ancestral territories, but members of the Squamish nation said their community members were not told or consulted about the purchase until it was already completed.

"They're basically doing it without even asking," said Beverly Brown, a member of the Squamish Nation. "It's very insulting, because now they've indebted all three communities to buy back our own land."

Acquisition part of reconciliation: Squamish Chief

Ian Campbell, chief of the Squamish Nation, said the partnership that lead to the purchase is historic, and a positive step for reconciliation with First Nations in Canada.

Campbell said his nation's members have given their leaders a mandate to acquire land for economic development, and the acquisition of the Heather Street lands falls under that mandate.

"These are unceded territories, so they belong to us anyway," he said.

Campbell said his leadership team informed the nation's members about the purchase when it happened through various means, including open houses and community presentations.

But Brown still has concerns about the specifics of the acquisition, since crown land is being converted into fee simple land rather than being added to reserve lands, thus nullifying any Aboriginal rights and titles claims.

"We haven't seen the paperwork," she said. "How do we know it's a good deal for us?"

Actual development still years away

Heather Deal, deputy mayor of Vancouver, said consultation for planning what to do with the Heather Street lands will begin in October. She said the city would oversee the consultation process.

Deana Grinnel, senior director of real estate for Canada Lands, said it would likely be at least four of five years until any development plans are finalized.

Neither Deal, Grinnel or Campbell gave any specifics about what they hoped to see happen with the lands, saying the final decision would come out of consultation with the community.

With files from Kamil Karamali.