Musqueam, Ottawa initial self-government agreement

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VANCOUVER - The federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister and the chief of the Musqueam Indian Band have initialled an agreement they say brings the band one step closer to self-governance.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/03/2025 (249 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER – The federal Crown-Indigenous relations minister and the chief of the Musqueam Indian Band have initialled an agreement they say brings the band one step closer to self-governance.

Minister Gary Anandasangaree told a ceremony on Friday afternoon that initialling the Musqueam self-government agreement is a “significant milestone” and a “powerful step” toward self-determination. 

He says once the agreement is in effect, it will revitalize the Musqueam Nation’s inherent right to self-government and restore the community’s ability to create laws, programs, services and develop economic opportunities on the nation’s own terms.

Musqueam Indian Band Chief Wayne Sparrow listens during the opening ceremony at the International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), in Vancouver, on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Musqueam Indian Band Chief Wayne Sparrow listens during the opening ceremony at the International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), in Vancouver, on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Chief Wayne Sparrow says being self-sufficient and looking after the community’s affairs has always been their vision.

Musqueam has a population of more than 1,400 people with more than 50 per cent living on reserve. 

A joint statement says the next steps are for the Musqueam to launch community engagement and begin the process of ratifying the self-government agreement among its membership. 

If approved, the agreement will need federal legislation to give it legal effect.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2025.

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