Musqueam Indian Band and Vancouver International Airport Sign Momentous Agreement for Shared Benefit
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Significant Agreement Honours Relationship with Mutual Opportunity and Investment
RICHMOND, BC, June 21, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Musqueam Indian Band (Musqueam) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) signed The Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement, a 30-year agreement based on friendship and respect to achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial future for our community. Elders, Musqueam Chief & Council, Board of Directors and business partners joined the celebration which included the official signing of the Agreement and traditional Musqueam songs at YVR followed by a feast, calling of witnesses and exchange of gifts at the Musqueam Cultural Pavilion.
"Friendship between Musqueam Indian Band and YVR is incredibly important for our people", stated Chief Wayne Sparrow. "YVR is located on our traditional lands and we all benefit from a positive relationship. This agreement provides Musqueam with important education and employment opportunities at YVR, a voice in future development, environmental enhancements and restoration and financial support that will allow our people to continue to grow our economic foundation and reinvest in our community."
The Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement is based on the four pillars of Sustainability—Social, Economic, Environment and Governance. The Agreement recognizes the evolving nature of the relationship between YVR and Musqueam through education, employment, revenue sharing, an engagement protocol for long-term development and support of operations.
Craig Richmond, President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority added: "This is an incredible day as we mark the evolution of our relationship with the Musqueam people. We are proud to look ahead to a future where we continue to learn and grow together for the economic and social benefit of the region. Being able to celebrate this new and exciting way forward with our friends is not only good for our business - it is the right way for YVR to move forward in the community we serve."
Some of the details of the Agreement include a path of education to employment with a number of scholarships and new jobs, one per cent of annual revenue from YVR, identification and protection of archeological resources and support for ongoing operations and long-term development at the airport.
Vancouver International Airport and Musqueam Indian Band are located in the same community on land that is Musqueam traditional territory. Musqueam have historically played an integral role in many areas of YVR's business and operations, from noise management and environmental advisory to development planning and cultural engagement.
The Agreement is subject to completion of Musqueam's member consultation process before the end of July. Additional details about The Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement are outlined in a formal backgrounder and are available at www.yvr.ca.
ABOUT THE MUSQUEAM INDIAN BAND
The Musqueam people have lived in our present location for thousands of years. Our traditional territory occupies what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas. Our people moved throughout our traditional territory using the resources the land provided for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering, to maintain their livelihood. Today, the Musqueam people still use these resources for economical and traditional purposes. Although a metropolitan city has developed in the heart of Musqueam territory, our community maintains strong cultural and traditional beliefs. Our community historians and educators teach and pass on our history to our people, which has always been the way of our people, to keep our culture and traditions strong. Today our population flourishes and we are a strong community of over thousand members. We live on a very small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River.
ABOUT VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Vancouver Airport Authority is the not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). We manage YVR like a private organization – receiving no government funding – and we are accountable to the region through a Board of Directors appointed from the community. Canada's second busiest airport, YVR welcomed 22.3 million passengers in 2016. Fifty-five airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 125 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation's prestigious Airport of the Year Award and was voted Best Airport in North America for the eighth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2017. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2016 donated more than $1,000,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor.
SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority
For further information: Musqueam Indian Band, Gordon Grant, Protocol and Communications, [email protected], 604-862-0231; YVR Media Relations, [email protected], 604-880-9815, @yvrairport
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