Lands
Stó:lō Nation Lands Program
The Stó:lō Nation (SN) Lands Department currently works under the Regional Lands Administration Program (RLAP) for 9 First Nations. These 9 First Nations have a total of 30 reserves, 429 Certificate of Possessions, 305 Leases, Sub-Leases, and Permits and a total membership of 1679.
RLAP is a co-management form of devolution. SN Lands staff shares the responsibilities of land management with the Department of Indian Affairs (INAC) staff. RLAP offers no delegated authorities; therefore less control as accountability for land management functions resides with the Minister of Indian Affairs. Under the RLAP Program we provide services to the following 9 First Nations: Aitchelitz, Leq'a:mel, Popkum, Shxw'ow'hamel, Skawahlook, Skowkale, Skwah, Sumas and Yakweakwioose.
Full-time staff consists of two Lands Officers and one Lands Clerk. The Lands Officers can offer assistance in the fields of Individual Land Holdings, Land Estates, Leases and Permits. The Lands Department also assists First Nations with Indian & Northern Affairs Canada's Addition to Reserve (ATR) Process.
All of the RLAP First Nations have opted into the First Nations Land Management Initiative (FNLMI). FNLMI allows the First Nations to have total control over their lands. Last year (2008) Squiala, Matsqui and Tzeachten successfully ratified their own land code, it is expected that this fiscal year they will be managing their own lands under their own laws.
Each First Nation will have two years to complete the process and adopt their final land code. The Lands Advisory Board selects the First Nations that will be added to the FNLMI. Only 30 First Nations are accepted into the program at a time and once a First Nation adopts their land code a new First Nation is added into the process, thus the "Rolling 30".
Download our 2009 Lands Department Pamphlet (
PDF 1.04MB)
Contact Stó:lō Nation Lands Department
Bldg #8A – 7201 Vedder Road
Chilliwack, BC
V2R 4G5
Phone – 604-824-2451
Fax: 604-858-6052
Acrobat Reader is required to view PDFs. Download for free if needed.
