Image: B.C. Government via Flickr / The B.C. government announced Wednesday (Mar. 27) that it has purchased 36 hectares of undeveloped private property near Abbotsford, in a transaction that signifies ongoing reconciliation efforts with the Sumas First Nation (Semá:th) towards protecting a sacred site.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Land purchase

B.C. govt. buys 36 hectares of undeveloped private property in Semá:th territory in Abbotsford

Mar 27, 2024 | 9:48 AM

ABBOTSFORD — The B.C. government announced Wednesday (Mar. 27) that it has purchased 36 hectares of undeveloped private property in Sumas First Nation, a transaction that signifies ongoing reconciliation efforts with Indigenous people.

Sumas First Nation in Abbotsford has approximately 400 people. The Semá:th people were known as the fierce wolf people and were a part of the larger Stό:lō Nation in B.C. Their land is situated where the Semá:th Lake and waterways were located.

According to a news release from the province, Sumas First Nation and the province are partnering through the acquisition and land purchase of a sacred site, Lightning Rock, which holds extensive cultural and spiritual significance for traditions and narratives spanning generations.

“We are pleased to hear that the Lightning Rock site has finally received the recognition it deserves as a sacred site for the Semá:th people,” said Semá:th Chief Dalton Silver. “We extend our gratitude to Semá:th, the S’ólh Téméxw Stewardship Alliance (STSA), John Glazema, Cold Water Ranch and all those within the government who played a role in moving this forward. This acknowledgment marks a positive step in the right direction towards reconciliation.”

The B.C. government says Semá:th people have long sought to safeguard the Lightning Rock site for heritage and cultural purposes. Semá:th and the province have together in close collaboration to develop a path forward since signing a shared agreement in 2017.

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The government will hold property until an agreement with Semá:th is finalized, at which point the land transfer process can be completed.

“We are looking forward to working with Semá:th First Nation and the Province in a collaborative way as these lands transfer to Semá:th,” said Ross Siemens, mayor of Abbotsford. “As neighbours, Semá:th First Nation and the City of Abbotsford are committed to working together to address ongoing considerations in this culturally significant area in Semá:th traditional territory.”

The province and Semá:th will facilitate ongoing opportunities for consultation with other local First Nations, municipal officials, residents and stakeholders as the acquisition process continues.