On June 18, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and the City of Burnaby took an important step towards reconciliation by signing a co-management agreement for Barnet Marine Park. This agreement formalizes a partnership between Burnaby and səlilwətaɬ to cooperate with one another concerning the planning and management of the park.
View a video of the signing ceremony:
“It is an honour for the City of Burnaby to be able to walk together on the pathway to reconciliation with the səlilwət people,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “This work is essential in helping us find the way to lasting and meaningful reconciliation.”
“saltaɬ (Barnet Marine Park) has been a culturally important area to səlilwətaɬ since time immemorial”, said səlilwətaɬ Chief Jen Thomas. “Our Barnet Marine Park co-management agreement with the City of Burnaby allows us to enact our steadfast commitments to enhancing the wellbeing of our lands, waters and culture for the benefit of current and future generations. My hands are raised to the City of Burnaby for working together with us in good faith, helping us strengthen the face of səlilwətaɬ on our traditional territory.”
Barnet Marine Park is a culturally, environmentally and historically significant area in səlilwətaɬ traditional territory. Currently managed by the City, the park will now be co-managed with səlilwətaɬ, to preserve and protect the natural beauty and cultural significance of the park for generations to come.
The co-management agreement creates opportunities for the City and səlilwətaɬ to work together to develop the recreational use and enjoyment of the park by members of the public and the səlilwətaɬ people. It will also increase public awareness of, and celebrate səlilwətaɬ cultural history and the significance of the park and surrounding area to the Nation.
The City marked the occasion by relocating a gift of a pair of wolf eco-sculptures to səlilwətaɬ, which will now be on permanent display at the Park.
Designed by səlilwətaɬ Elders and planted alongside each other, these sculptures symbolize Burnaby’s commitment to work and grow together to advance reconciliation. səlilwətaɬ Elders chose the design of two wolves as it is their belief that the Creator transformed the Wolf into the first Tsleil-Wautt on the shores of səlilwət (Burrard Inlet), giving səlilwətaɬ family linkage of belonging to the wolf clan.
This gift and the signing of the co-management agreement demonstrates respect for the səlilwətaɬ people, culture and connections to their traditional territory, which is centred around səlilwət, and symbolizes the shared commitment to working together toward a future of mutual respect and collaboration.