S’olh Temexw, Mission BC, January 23, 2025 – LMS Celebrates the historic return of lands in Mission – looks ahead to the next phase.
The Leq’á:mel Máthxwi Semá:th Society (“LMS”), leadership and members of the three Nations celebrate the long awaited return of land in their shared territories in the City of Mission, located adjacent to the Fraser River Heritage Park and the grounds of the former St. Mary’s Residential School.
The land transfer, which was finalized last week, is the implementation of the Í:xel Sq’eq’ó Agreement (“Together We Paddle”), signed in 2021 by the LMS, the Province of British Columbia and the City of Mission.
The Agreement provides for the return of 60 hectares (148 acres) of land to the three Nations. The lands have been subdivided, with nearly 50 hectares to be leased to the City of Mission to manage for public use as a community park and recreational area, and two parcels planned for residential and commercial development by LMS.
“We are thrilled to see these lands finally returned to the rightful owners” said Darrel McKamey, Leq’á:mel Councillor and Chair of the LMS. “We look forward to the continued protection of the park as a space for recreation and public education and, through our newly formed LMS Development Corporation, to the development of our two parcels for the benefit of our Nations, the citizens of Mission, and all British Columbians.”
LMS was formed in 2015 with a mandate “to acquire, manage, develop, maintain and/or protect certain common lands for the education and benefit of our First Nation communities and the wider public.” The return of these lands, which were originally intended to be transferred to the City of Mission through a Sponsored Crown Grant, has been in the works for over a decade.
“While we have been working on this for almost 15 years, this transfer is really just the beginning”, said Máthxwi Chief Alice McKay, “we must continue to take back our rightful place on our traditional lands, and this transfer shows that as leaders, we are taking this responsibility very seriously.”
“Our ancestors are smiling down on us today”, added Semá:th Chief Dalton Silver, “our title lands were never surrendered, and we will continue to work to ensure that they are returned, not only for us, but for seven generations ahead of us.”
The return of land marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the Nations, the Province and the City. Discussions are ongoing regarding the second phase of this renewed relationship, which includes establishing LMS as a key driver of economic development in Mission, particularly in delivering much needed housing.
“There is still much work to be done, said Leq’á:mel Chief Alice Thompson, “we have identified further lands in Mission for return, and look forward to continued collaboration with our partners in the Province and the City of Mission on the next phase of our work.”
A celebration to recognize this historic land transfer is being planned for the spring.
For more information, please contact:
Councillor Darrel McKamey, Leq’á:mel First Nation
LMS Board Chair & Director
604-556-9281 | darrel@leqamel.ca
Chief Alice McKay, Máthxwi First Nation
LMS Director
alice.mckay@matsqui.com
Chief Dalton Silver, Semá:th First Nation
LMS Director
604-751-0947 | dalton.silver@sumasfirstnation.com
Contact:
Semá:th (Sumas) First Nation
Media & Communications
Chantel Homme
Communications Officer
media@sumasfirstnation.com
+1 (604) 835-3380