There are a network of biking and walking trails on the land adjacent to Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission. Those trails are on the unceded land of the Stó:lō people, and are also adjacent to the Pekw'Xe:yles Federal Reserve lands. The land on which the trails sit is predominantly Crown Land - land owned by the Province of British Columbia. That land is in the process of being transferred in title to a group of the First Nations which will give them ownership of the land and the trails. Returning it to those who have aboriginal rights and title and those that were the original stewards of the land.
M3C and its members have played an integral role in ensuring the value of the trails is considered as a part of the land transfer process. All stakeholders have shown a great deal of respect for the trails, even though they were built without permission and informed consent as they should have been. And conversely M3C have shown a great deal of respect for the rights of the current land owner (the Province) and the First Nations who's traditional territory the trails reside within. Trails like these were built in a different time and today's standards are forever getting better for ensuring proper processes, and proper respect is shown for the rightful owners and stewards of the land. M3C's constituent member - FVMBA - has long taken responsibility for maintenance of the 11km+ trail network. And the future of these trails looks positive as the FVMBA, the District of Mission, and the First Nations will be collaborating on a plan to preserve many of the trails and maintain them now and into the future.
Stay tuned for more information and updates as this project carries forward.
M3C and its members have played an integral role in ensuring the value of the trails is considered as a part of the land transfer process. All stakeholders have shown a great deal of respect for the trails, even though they were built without permission and informed consent as they should have been. And conversely M3C have shown a great deal of respect for the rights of the current land owner (the Province) and the First Nations who's traditional territory the trails reside within. Trails like these were built in a different time and today's standards are forever getting better for ensuring proper processes, and proper respect is shown for the rightful owners and stewards of the land. M3C's constituent member - FVMBA - has long taken responsibility for maintenance of the 11km+ trail network. And the future of these trails looks positive as the FVMBA, the District of Mission, and the First Nations will be collaborating on a plan to preserve many of the trails and maintain them now and into the future.
Stay tuned for more information and updates as this project carries forward.
