Province transfers land to Simpcw First Nation as part of resort approval – Government of BC

March 7, 2018

VALEMOUNT – The Province is transferring 185 hectares of Crown land in the Tete Jaune Cache and Valemount areas to the Simpcw First Nation, as part of accommodation for the Valemount Glacier Destination resort approval, Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development Minister Doug Donaldson has announced.

“We’re pleased to support Simpcw First Nation in re-establishing their presence in this part of their territory,” Donaldson said. “This land transfer is an exciting opportunity for the Simpcw to participate in the economic diversification of Robson Valley.”

The ski and sightseeing resort encompasses 4,997 hectares in the Premier range of the Cariboo Mountains. The resort’s master plan was approved in August 2016, and the Master Development Agreement was signed in March 2017. As part of the Master Development Agreement, accommodation for the Simpcw First Nation included revenue sharing and the transfer of land.

“The Simpcw First Nation has been involved in the planning of the Valemount Glacier Resort initiative from the beginning and look forward to its implementation,” said Simpcw First Nation Chief Nathan Matthew. “The recognition of our rights to the land and the significant inclusion of our community in this project is a step toward reconciling the challenging history we have in the area.”

The land parcels being transferred to the Simpcw are within the northern portion of the Simpcw’s territory and include a historical village site on the banks of the Fraser River, as well as hunting and fishing camps in proximity to the Cranberry Marsh, the Canoe River and the Village of Valemount.

Quick Facts:

• With the addition of the Valemount Glacier Resort, there are now 37 mountain resorts in B.C.
• B.C.’s mountain resorts and ski areas play host to amateur and professional sport, from the 2010 Olympic Games, the 2015 Canada Winter Games, to hundreds of amateur skiing, snowboarding and Nordic competitions that take place every year.
• The resort proposal was a locally born initiative brought to the developer by the Valemount Ski Society and the Village of Valemount.

Learn More:

Valemount Glacier Destinations project: http://valemountglaciers.com/ and http://valemountglaciers.com/master-plan/Contact:Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
250 356-5261

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect

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