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By Canadian Press / Fraser Valley Today Staff

First Nations

Vancouver Island land transferred in deal between province and two First Nations

May 12, 2024 | 5:23 AM

VICTORIA — The B.C. government and two First Nations communities have agreed to a deal that will see the transfer of a 312 hectare land parcel on Vancouver Island to the Lyackson First Nation and Cowichan Tribes.

The land is valued at $8.55 million and was recently purchased by the province from Mosaic Forest Management.

The province says the deal will see the Lyackson First Nation and Cowichan Tribes hold the land in partnership until a plan to divide the parcel is put in place.

The province says the move addresses the Lyackson First Nation’s long-standing need for land able to support the community, since its current reserve lands are on Valdes Island and without ferry service, electricity or water supply.