The future of the Nanaimo harbour is up for discussion.
The City of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo Marina Association will host a public forum this Saturday (Sept. 30) on the harbour’s future.
The Snuneymuxw First Nation sent out a press release earlier this summer indicating that it would work with the City of Nanaimo, the marine industry and other stakeholders and undertake innovative work to explore and develop a new harbour governance model. That work forms the basis of an upcoming public dialogue, the Future of Nanaimo Harbour.
Odai Sirri, spokesman for the marina association, previously told the News Bulletin the status quo under the Nanaimo Port Authority is unacceptable. Change is coming, he said, speaking in support of Snuneymuxw-led public dialogue.
“This is all part of the process. This is all part of how change happens,” Sirri said. “You build the groundswell of support and you start moving forward on those plans and you start implementing the strategic vision.”
A recent press release from the City of Nanaimo says respecting Snuneymuxw treaty rights, encouraging economic growth and vibrancy, and ensuring the harbour is a meaningful part of the lives of Nanaimo citizens are all important values the City is pursuing through this initiative.
The forum will be from 1-3:30 p.m. in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre’s Shaw Auditorium.
-files from Greg Sakaki
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