The Leq'á:mel, Máthxwi, and Semá:th (LMS) Society is set to host a community celebration on Tuesday (June 17) at Fraser River Heritage Park honouring the Í:xel Sq'eq'ó Land-Back Agreement.
The free event is slated for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with speeches and remarks from the three Nations, representatives from the province, and the City of Mission at approximately 11:30 a.m.
“We are thrilled to invite the citizens of Leq'á:mel, Máthxwi, Semá:th, and Mission to celebrate the historic land back land transfer under the Í:xel Sq'eq'ó Agreement (Together We Paddle Agreement),” Leq’a:mel First Nation Coun. Darrel McKamey said
“This agreement to get our land back was a thirteen-year effort and celebrates our nation's citizens, past and present leaders, and ancestors that set our path forward.”
The event will provide attendees the opportunity to learn more about the Í:xel Sq'eq'ó agreement, hear from dignitaries, experience cultural performances and music, in addition to other activities such as face painting. Í:xel Sq'eq'ó is a Hul’qumi’num phrase, which translates to English as “Together We Paddle.”
Máthxwi First Nation Chief Alice McKay said the nation is proud of the work that has been done to get the land back.
“It has been a long and sometimes very hard journey but we accomplished what we set out to do. Our ancestors would be very proud of LMS setting precedence with the ability to do this work with "one heart and one mind." The work has just begun though. We have a long road ahead to make our members happy and proud as we pave the way for our future seven generations,” McKay said.
Semá:th First Nation Chief Dalton Silver said returning the lands is a huge step towards building relations with neighbours.
“I thank the provincial government for the recognition and for demonstrating their commitment to moving forward into the future alongside us, government to government.”
Mission Mayor Paul Horn said the achievement is a testament to working together for the common good.
“Reconciliation is not just a word—it’s action. It means working side by side to tackle our shared challenges: building a stronger economy, creating affordable housing, protecting the environment, addressing poverty, and improving health outcomes for everyone. We are proud to mark this moment, but even more so, we are energized by what lies ahead.”
The return of land in the City of Mission to three local First Nations was finalized in January after the agreement was signed in 2021 by the LMS Society, City of Mission and province.
The agreement returns 60 hectares of land, which sits adjacent to the grounds of St. Mary’s Residential School, to LMS.
The lands have been subdivided with nearly 50 hectares to be leased to the City of Mission to co-manage with the LMS Society for public use as a community park and recreational area. Two parcels are planned for residential and commercial development by LMS.
The historic agreement was over thirteen years in the making, and this event is an opportunity for community members from Leq'á:mel, Máthxwi, and Semá:th First Nations.
