Snuneymuxw eye partnership

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The ink hasn't even hit the pages of the Snuneymuxw treaty yet, but already the Nanaimo area Snuneymuxw are proposing a public-private partnership with the city and private industry to build a $30 million-plus conference centre on the waterfront. The treaty, when it is signed, will be the first urban treaty in British Columbia. Some of the land that is on the treaty table is adjacent to the proposed site of the new conference centre and may be incorporated into the design.

Snuneymuxw First Nation's economic development advisor, Keith Wilson, said that even though with a closing date of April 11 the city must now look at other proposals, the Snuneymuxw bid has a 75 per cent chance of approval. The Snuneymuxw were first approached by the Mayer family, who are 100 per cent shareholders in the Nanaimo Waterfront Centre, incorporated in September 2002.

"We thought this would be a great opportunity for everyone-for the people of Nanaimo and for the Snuneymuxw First Nations," said Rita Mayer.

Initially the Snuneymuxw were not interested in becoming partners in the enterprise, Wilson said. But the potential for jobs and the possibility of creating a bridge between the Native and non-Native communities had appeal.

"And they (the Mayer family) saw an historic connection between the First Nations and the harbourfront," Wilson said.

The First Nations had also been investigating the possibility of revenue from tourism for the past six years. The Snuneymuxw manage Newcastle Island, a popular provincial park that is a 10-minute ferry ride from the downtown. The First Nation's chief and council saw the possibilities in providing that ferry service directly from the hotel and conference centre site.

"And if we could get visitors to come to Newcastle Island we could provide them with a cultural, festival-like tourism product," Wilson said.

"The challenge was to get them to the island. What could we set up on the Nanaimo side to get customers to Newcastle Island? So suddenly, with this conference centre we've got 11,000 square feet of retail space on this side of the water, plus the hotel, plus the conventions."

Through federal grants and bank loans, the Snuneymuxw hope to raise $3 million and obtain 51 per cent ownership in the project, which will provide about 150 jobs during construction.

City councillor and chair of the conference centre committee, Ron Cantelon, said the jobs will be a boon to everyone in the city.

"Our goals are the same. We both have high youth unemployment and this project gives us hope that we can work together."

He added that the conference centre is a chance for the Snuneymuxw and the city to build something truly unique together that would bode a promising future relationship.

Snuneymuxw Chief John Wesley echoed Cantelon's sentiments.

"I think this is good for Nanaimo and it's good for Snuneymuxw. It's not only going to be beneficial to Snuneymuxw but everyone that's down in this area. That's what we're looking at-the bigger picture-and I think everyone should be doing the same thing. This could kick Nanaimo off for other things to happen here."

The design for the waterfront centre was completed some time ago when the Mayer family was originally awarded the contract. Development had already begun when the corporation ran into financial difficulties. Although the design plan remains essentially the same, a ship-shaped structure jutting out over the water, the interior design has been adjusted to reflect the First Nation's heritage.

Wilson believes the conference centre could be the start of a new era for Native and non-Native relations. It and any other treaty settlements will contribute to the city's economy.

"In the big picture, Vancouver Island is a net importer of federal dollars," Wilson said.

"The money that this nation will receive in a treaty settlement is not going to come from Nanaimo, it's going to come from outside of Nanaimo, and when it gets here it's not going to be invesed outside of Nanaimo, its going to be invested in Nanaimo."