Tla’amin Nation signs acquisition deal for former mill site

Key Takeaways:

• Tla’amin Nation is set to reacquire nearly half of the former mill site at tiskwat.
• The Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) between Tla’amin Nation and Domtar includes provisions for Tla’amin to assume responsibility for maintenance, taxes, and insurance upon ownership. The Nation is prioritizing archaeological and environmental stewardship, with Domtar expressing commitment to collaborative solutions and respect for Tla’amin interests.
• Extensive community engagement showed overwhelming support (94%) among Tla’amin citizens for the reacquisition, with youth support even higher at 97%.

The Whole Story:

Following nearly two years of due diligence and negotiations, Tla’amin Nation is set to reacquire close to half of the former mill site at tisk^wat.

The Nation stated in a release that the reacquisition will come 146 years after the lands were alienated from the Nation through the illegal sale of Lot 450 in 1878 and one year after the federal government accepted Tla’amin’s specific claim for Lot 450 for negotiation.

Last month, Tla’amin Nation and Domtar initialed an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA). The agreement is subject to approval by Tla’amin Executive Council within 60 days.

Under the terms of the APA, Domtar (formerly Paper Excellence) will return the lands to Tla’amin for the Nation’s use. Tla’amin will assume responsibility for carrying costs such as maintenance, taxes and insurance upon taking ownership. 

“This agreement is a step in the right direction for us to regain our rightful place at tisk^wat,” said Hegus (Chief) John Hackett. “We will continue to work with Domtar and Brookfield to protect Tla’amin archaeological and stewardship interests across the entire site.”

Sixteen parcels comprise the 120 acres of Tla’amin reacquisition lands. The reacquired lands primarily front the river and ocean and are among the least industrialized areas at tisk^wat. Notably, Tla’amin assumes responsibility for most of the riverfront lands. However, the reacquisition does not include the dam, which is encumbered by a bare land trust between Domtar and Brookfield Power.

“We raise our hands in deep respect for the Tla’amin elected council and their staff for their collaboration in our ongoing work together,” says Lana Wilhelm, Director of Indigenous Relations, Domtar. “The entire Domtar team is deeply committed to working with the Tla’amin Nation to do the right thing. We continue to work on solutions for the entirety of the site.”

To build a negotiations mandate, Tla’amin Nation engaged its citizens through a series of six public engagement sessions and a survey conducted between October 2023 and May 2024.

94% of Tla’amin citizens who participated in the engagement process supported the reacquisition of tisk^wat, with support among youth even higher at 97%. At the same time, 98% of Citizens were concerned about the environmental legacy at tisk^wat following a century of industrial activity. These concerns and risks are addressed in the agreement being presented to the community.

The Nation stated that the reacquisition of tisk^wat not only represents a historic step toward rectifying past injustices but also serves as a cornerstone of Tla’amin’s vision for economic prosperity.

Nation representatives explained that reacquisition lands will support Tla’amin Management Services LP’s (TMSLP) current business interests while creating opportunities for future development aligned with Tla’amin goals for employment, revenue generation, and sustainability.

The APA and accompanying business plan will be reviewed for recommendation by the Tla’amin Finance Committee and Tla’amin Economic Development Committee before being approved by Tla’amin Executive Council.