Low voter turnout for a recent members' vote on Squamish Nation land reform means members will again head to the polls later this year to determine the future of two prominent land parcels.
Early this month, Squamish Nation members voted on a measure that would allow two chunks of North Shore property - Mosquito Creek Marina and the Capilano Reserve - to be leased out to non-natives. Five hundred and seventy-nine members voted and 55.7 per cent were in favour of the measure.
Although the results were positive, not enough members turned out to make the decision stick. A majority of eligible members had to vote in favour for the designation to pass - the equivalent of 1,284 ballots, roughly double the referendum's count.
A date for the next vote has not yet been set, Squamish Nation Chief Ian Campbell said. Chief and council want to review the last referendum process before moving forward.
The Squamish Nation has received expressions of interest regarding the Capilano lands, but until the Nation is able to provide leases on the land, businesses are unable to secure financing for potential projects, Campbell said.
"Unfortunately, because of the Indian Act, it really constrains the ability of the Squamish Nation to utilize or unlock the value of our lands," he said.
If the designation passes, Squamish Nation officials will examine the best uses for the properties, complete with a land appraisal, and will look at what type of businesses would generate the best returns for the membership. That information would be brought before the community for a vote.
"The membership is in the driver's seat the whole way with their decision making," Campbell said. "Council just does the work on behalf of members for their ultimate decision."
Squamish Nation member and activist Jo-Ann Nahanee doesn't see the land designation in the same light. This referendum is last year's failed Squamish Land Code in disguise, Nahanee said. Members are afraid they will have little or no control over their property if it is placed solely in the hands of council, Nahanee said.
The Nation's officials have already put property - including 467 hectares of Squamish land bought last year for $16 million - under the name of Squamish Nation-controlled companies, placing them out of the membership's reach, she said.
"To me, we need to have the Squamish people being the shareholders of these companies that have ownership of the land," Nahanee said.
Putting land under the control of companies controlled by governing bodies is a common practice of many such bodies, Campbell said. By placing properties under the umbrella of a Nation company, it shields council, chiefs, members and the Nation's services from risks.
"The risk and liability is really the main purpose of developing a shell company like that," Campbell said.
