Mission, BC— After first signing the historic Í:xel Sq'eq'ó agreement in July 2021, the province has returned title of the lands located immediately to the east of Fraser River Heritage Park to the LMS Society. The LMS Society is comprised of Leq’á:mel, Máthxwi and Semá:th First Nations.
The Leq’á:mel, Máthxwi and Semá:th First Nations and the City of Mission share a mutually supportive relationship, encouraging recreational park use, support for cultural values, and economic development of these lands in Mission.
"It is fantastic to see that the vision for these lands has reached a new milestone,” said Mayor Paul Horn on behalf of Council. “These lands will provide new housing and economic opportunity for people in the traditional territories of the Leq’á:mel, Máthxwi and Semá:th people, but they also represent something much greater. The people of Mission have demonstrated a strong commitment to Reconciliation and to partnering with First Nations to create wellness and equity for all. This work shows that we have learned from the past and that we have a shared vision of a better future for the next seven generations."
As part of the agreement, the lands have been subdivided to create a park parcel of approximately 50 hectares, which will be leased to the City of Mission to co-manage with the LMS Society for public use as a community park, and two 5-hectre development parcels, to be developed by the LMS Development Corporation to support housing in the area and increase economic and social opportunities.
The City of Mission looks forward to working with the LMS Society to collaboratively develop a park management plan in the near future.
Í:xel Sq'eq'ó is a Hul’qumi’num phrase, which translates to English as “Together We Paddle.”
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