Treaty, Lands, and Resources
The Treaty Directorate is responsible for the provision of a comprehensive treaty and land claims program, including all necessary research and development. The Director represents the Musqueam Indian Band at various meetings and venues on issues related to cultural heritage, Crown held lands, and treaty and/or land claims negotiations. The Director is responsible for ensuring the development and maintenance of related software programs, oral history tapes, archaeological and basketry collections, genealogical records, and other archival databases, and historical research. The Director works with the Band Council, band Manager and legal counsel while attending to day to day interaction with numerous outside agencies that impact on Musqueam interests.
Director – Leona M. Sparrow
Associate Director – Dianne Sparrow
Acting Associate Director - Kaitlan Lay
Senior Archivist – Jason Woolman
Referrals, Research and Engagement – Larissa Grant
Archaeology Technician/Field Worker – Wayne Point
Senior GIS Specialist – Craig Rust
Geographic Historical Researcher – Jessica Carson
WHAT WE DO:
Our Treaty, Lands & Resources Department is working with Council and the community to build a stronger, healthier, self-governing and self sustaining Musqueam Nation. We are doing this through our ongoing negotiations with the Crown and various external organizations. Our department collaborates with various governmental and non-governmental agencies to advance Musqueam’s Aboriginal Title and Rights in the best interest of Musqueam First Nation and works collaboratively with numerous agencies and groups in capacity building in various fields. As a department, we are responsible for many important roles, including:
TREATY AND LAND NEGOTIATIONS
• Meetings with the Province and the Federal Government Minister and senior officials
• Meetings with other First Nations (individual Nations, First Nation Summit, etc.)
• Meet with regional governments, land holders and interest groups
SELF GOVERNANCE NEGOTIATIONS
• Meetings with the Federal Government
• Community Engagement
• Meet with various stakeholders
CONSULTATION AND ACCOMMODATION OF INTERESTS
• Meetings and negotiations with governments, government agencies and Third Parties, etc. around legal, land and resource issues
• Development of policy, procedures and Protocol Agreements
• Land Referrals and Disposals
• Legal - Litigation, court actions and consultation when and where required
MAPPING AND RECORD KEEPING
• Computer mapping (GIS) of our traditional territory, land use and occupancy
• Development of maps and planning aids for our community plan process and for other administration departments
• Creating a database of historical records that is compatible with our digital mapping
• Hold and digitize oral history records and photo records
UBC LIAISON
• Working with UBC as a whole and the Museum of Anthropology – Renewal and Reciprocal Research Network
• Working with UBC – Musqueam Development Committee on Musqueam 101, First Nations Language Program, Musqueam/UBC Archaeology Field School, Bridge Through Sport, Youth Creative Writing, Math and Science Club, Reading Club, Homework Club
MUSQUEAM LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES
• Maintain and develop library and archives
• Maintain Musqueam Website
ARCHAEOLOGY AND RESEARCH
• Marpole Midden Site Management Plan, St. Mungo Site Management Plan
• Archaeology concerns and issues – on- and off -reserve and within our Traditional Territory
• Permitting
COMMUNITY PLANNING
• Comprehensive Sustainable Community Development Plan – We Speak with One Heart and Mind
• Collaborative programming with Vancouver Museum, Richmond Museum, Fraser River Discovery Centre and others
• Assist other departments within the scope of the Comprehensive Community Plan
• Collaborative work with Musqueam Lands Department on First Nations Land Code and draft Land Use Plan
