The Partnership

A historic partnership 

ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw/Jericho Lands have been the land and waters on which MST peoples lived, traveled, played and followed our cultural traditions. It was where life-giving cedar trees were carved into canoes and made into large, communal longhouses where the Nations welcomed thousands of guests from surrounding areas and kept watch over the Salish Sea for incoming raiders. They took sustenance, medicines and resources from the water and forests, and established strong ties of kinship among and between their Nations.  

The partnership among the three Nations (MST) and Canada Lands Company (CLC) to redevelop ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw/Jericho Lands is a generational opportunity to acknowledge traditions, rebuild community and celebrate heritage. MST and CLC entered into this historic partnership in 2014 and have also worked together to develop the Heather Lands along the Cambie corridor. In total, the site is 90 acres, including 52 acres co-owned by MST-CLC (the former federally-owned lands on the east side of the property) and 38 acres owned solely by MST (the former provincially-owned lands on the west).   

The redevelopment of the Jericho Lands is a generational opportunity for us to reaffirm these relationships— to honour our heritage, to rebuild our communities, and to celebrate our unique identity. This building of a new ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw/Jericho Lands is to remind ourselves, and educate all local residents, about the essential connections between our three Nations, and our ongoing connection to these places we have called home for so many generations. 

  • “ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw/Jericho Lands is a unique opportunity for Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Canada Lands Company. For the nations, not only are we taking our rightful place as landowners and economic leaders, but we will be showcasing our culture like never before. For CLC, it has been a chance to demonstrate their commitment to the future of our communities in a sustainable and meaningful way.”

    yəχʷyaχʷələq-Chief Wayne Sparrow, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)

  • “We are proud of our culture and look forward to sharing our way of life and worldview with all who will live in and visit this incredible future neighbourhood. With ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw and other projects made possible by our Nations working together, we are creating modern Indigenous communities where all will be welcome.”

    Sxwíxwtn-Wilson Williams​, Spokesperson and General Councillor, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish)

  • “In returning our culture to these lands, we honour our ancestors and Elders who taught us our traditions and stories. The efforts we make today, together with our relatives Squamish and Musqueam, are not only for the benefit of current generations, but also for the next seven generations—for the cultural and financial sustainability of our people.” 

    Chief Jen Thomas, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)

  • “Canada Lands Company recognizes the importance of ʔəy҆alməxʷ/Iy҆álmexw/Jericho Lands to our MST Nations partners and supports their long-term goals for the lands. CLC shares the aspirations for these lands to become a beautiful and culturally rich community that brings benefits to the MST Nations, the city and the broader region by advancing sustainability and affordability in a neighbourhood welcoming to everyone. Through this process, our team has been privileged to learn more about the Nations’ cultures and to support reconciliation through our work together.”

    Stéphan Déry, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company