This winter we held our third round of family gatherings for our community plan. Members were extremely supportive of our “Heart of the Community” land use plan concept, and this was used to help Musqueam successfully bid on the Four Host Aboriginal Pavilion, which will be our new Cultural Education Centre and will be located across from the new Community Centre. Site preparation has also begun for the new Sports Field on the 5-acre site.
There will be a New Projects Open House on May 6th from 3 to 7pm in the Administration Building.
Preparing for Tomorrow
In January, a Self-Governance Special Committee was formed. By negotiating a Self-Governance Framework, Musqueam seeks to develop a new relationship between Musqueam and Canada, including certainty with respect to the authority and jurisdiction of Musqueam’s government. Ongoing engagement with the Musqueam community will begin with an Elders Lunch on Wednesday May 5th from 12 to 2 pm.
Garden City Lands Update In March 2005, Musqueam entered into a MOU partnership with Richmond and Canada Lands Company (CLC) to share in the benefits of ownership. (The MOU included removal from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) and rezoning for residential / commercial use. Attempts to remove the lands from the ALR failed.) Last October, Richmond sent an unsolicited offer to purchase the property from Musqueam and CLC for $59.7 million. This March, the sale to Richmond completed, with an agreement to exchange a property owned by CLC for part of Musqueam’s equity in the Garden City Lands. On April 27, CLC transferred ownership of the Nokia building in Burnaby, which will generate annual income to Musqueam of $1.7million. In consideration of Richmond’s behavior under the terms of its agreement - and the prospects of its future actions related to the property - Musqueam has commenced legal action to protect remaining interests in the MOU.
To download this Newsletter Click here (PDF).
As part of our participation as one of four Host Nations for the Olympic Games, we recently signed onto a Shared Legacies Agreement that will create a special Legacy Trust Fund established by Musqueam for the benefit of present and future members. Under the Agreement, this Trust cannot be used for normal operations or for distribution to members.
The Legacy Trust Fund can be used to support five different types of activities:
- Acquisition of land for Musqueam
- Capacity building
- Enhancement of skills and training
- Preservation and strengthening of Musqueam culture and ceremonies
- Economic opportunities for Musqueam
The We Speak with One Heart and Mind community planning project would like to hear from you. Which of
activities do you think are most important? Why?
Share your ideas in person by attending one of several upcoming community Legacy Trust Fund workshops (dates
will be posted on the website and advertised in community newsletter). You can also visit the new community
planning website at www.1heart1mind.ca and add your comments in the form under the Legacy Trust Fund tab.
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Last year was a busy one for our Comprehensive Community Plan team. This newsletter summarizes some of the work we’ve completed, or are very close to completing.
- Community Survey: We completed a community survey on critical issues, objectives, and directions for our community plan to address. Over 50% of on-reserve members (a very high response rate) responded. We will be sharing results with members at family gatherings and through our project newsletter this spring.
- Land Use Plan: Project consultants developed an innovative land use planning tool which we can use to develop different scenarios for new buildings and construction on our main reserve. Using this tool we are going to develop a land use plan that will generate new housing, community development and revenue opportunities, while reducing costs to the Band and minimizing any environmental or cultural impacts. Members and Council will be exploring land use options in February and March. A Draft Land Use Plan will be developed by the end of March. The final Land Use Plan will be developed over the summer and fall of 2009.
- Sports Facility: In recognition of potential funding opportunities and strong community support for a new sports field facility (90% in the Community Survey), we have been working on a project to find the best site for the facility. This past winter, we reviewed potential locations and activities for the facility and narrowed down our choices. A community Open House to discuss the short and long term plans for a sports facility and fields is planned for February. Watch for an Open House announcement soon!
Our community plan is gaining real momentum! We have pretty much completed the second phase of the four phase project. This winter will be a busy time. Some of the work we’ve completed, or are very close to completing includes:
- Community Survey: We heard from almost 50% of our on-reserve members! We’ve highlighted some results in this newsletter.
- Sports Facility: Concepts for a new sports facility have been developed through a series of staff meetings and community feedback. We are reviewing the alternatives with staff and Council now. Watch for an announcement soon!
- Land Use Plan: We have developed three different options that illustrate what kind of new buildings and housing could be developed and where on our lands. We showed them at our Planning Day event in August and will be getting more member input this winter to develop a final concept.
Our community plan is moving ahead quickly! Some of the projects we are working on that you will all be invited to participate in include:
- A Community Survey for all on-reserve and off-reserve members will help us determine what community needs our plan should address first.
- The first phase of our Land Use Plan will show us what kind of new buildings and housing can be developed on our lands.
- Healthy Housing Guidelines to establish standards for the environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and well-built housing on Musqueam lands.
- A Sport Facility Location Project will decide what kind of new sports facility should be developed on our reserve, and where it should be built
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