CANADA (From news reports) -- Following nearly two years of due diligence and negotiations, Tla'amin Nation is set to reacquire close to half of the former Catalyst Paper mill site at Tis'kwat.

According to a media release from Tla'amin, the reacquisition will come 146 years after the lands were alienated 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.

Tla'amin and Domtar have initialled an asset purchase agreement (APA), which 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 its 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 Tis'kwat," stated Tla'amin hegus John Hackett. "We will continue to work with Domtar and Brookfield to protect Tla'amin archaeological and stewardship interests across the entire site."

The reacquisition lands comprise 16 parcels covering 120 acres. The reacquired lands primarily front the river and ocean and are among the least industrialized areas at Tis'kwat. 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," stated Lana Wilhelm, Domtar director of Indigenous relations. "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. An overwhelming 94 per cent of Tla'amin citizens who participated in the engagement process supported the reacquisition of Tis'kwat, with support among youth even higher at 97 per cent. At the same time, 98 per cent of citizens were concerned about the environmental legacy at Tis'kwat following a century of industrial activity. These concerns and risks are addressed in the agreement being presented to the community, the release stated.

"We are pleased that Tla'amin Nation and Domtar have initiated an asset purchase agreement for the former mill site at Tis'kwat," stated City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow. "This provides a first step towards repurposing the site for the benefit of Tla'amin Nation and the region."

The reacquisition of Tis'kwat not only represents an historic step toward rectifying past injustices but also serves as a cornerstone of Tla'amin's vision for economic prosperity, the release stated.

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. This reacquisition positions TMSLP to pursue initiatives that will bring long-term benefits to Tla'amin citizens and contribute to the economic vitality of the qathet region, according to the release.

"We are committed to working together to right past wrongs and creating environmental and economic benefits for the Tla'amin Nation, the surrounding community and the whole province," stated Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill. "This is an important milestone in the process of working toward economic and social reconciliation, while bringing long-term benefits to Tla'amin citizens and contributing to the economic vitality of the region."

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's executive council.

"Congratulations to Tla'amin Nation for the ongoing collaborative work with Domtar on Tis'kwat, a site of historical and contemporary social, cultural and economic significance for the Tla'amin people," stated Christine Boyle, provincial minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation. "I look forward to our government's continued treaty partnership through our memorandum of understanding - yiχmɛtštəm Tis'kwat (which translates to we are going to take care of Tis'kwat).