City signs landmark engagement agreement with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

City signs landmark engagement agreement with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

News & UpdatesCity signs landmark engagement agreement with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

City signs landmark engagement agreement with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)

July 23, 2025

Burnaby, BC – səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) and the City of Burnaby have signed a historic agreement, outlining a process for government-to-government engagement for projects in Burnaby.

“This is an important step forward for the City of Burnaby and səlilwətaɬ,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “This engagement agreement acknowledges the importance of communication, collaboration and the inherent value of cultural and traditional knowledge of these territories.”

“I raise my hands to the City of Burnaby for their tremendous efforts in working with səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) staff and leadership in developing this historic agreement, which integrates the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into the City’s processes and represents a strong commitment to uphold our inherent rights,” said səlilwətaɬ Chief Justin Sky George. “The agreement provides funding for TWN to participate in the review of City projects and we look forward to even closer collaboration and meaningful engagement with the City’s new Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation team.”

The agreement formalizes a process for səlilwətaɬ to participate in the review of City-led projects within Burnaby – creating an avenue for engagement throughout the planning, construction and/or implementation phases of projects that have the potential to impact səlilwətaɬ rights or title.

Signing this engagement agreement builds on efforts to maintain a government-to-government relationship built on trust, mutual respect and aligns with the goals of reconciliation.

Since 2016, the City has taken several actions to promote Truth and Reconciliation, including:

·       Creating a new division within the City, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, which oversees the development and implementation of the City’s reconciliation strategy and framework in consultation and cooperation with the Host Nations on whose land the City of Burnaby is located.

·       Establishing Indigenous-focused educational spaces such as the Matriarch’s Garden and Indigenous Learning House at Burnaby Village Museum.

·       Hosting Indigenous public art displays, performances, and events such as National Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Hope and Health Community Camps.

·       Signing a co-management agreement with səlilwətaɬ for Barnet Marine Park in June 2025.

Learn More about the City of Burnaby: Indigenous Peoples and Reconciliation

Latest Articles

Tsleil-Waututh Nation's Stewardship Initiatives Map
Explore TWN’s Stewardship Initiatives in a New Interactive Map 
Check out the new Stewardship Initiatives Map created by səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)’s Treaty, Lands and Resources Department to summarize previous and ongoing work that contributes to restoring the health of səlilwət (Burrard Inlet).
Vancouver Canucks’ New First Nations Celebration Logo Designed by Tsleil-Waututh Artist Ocean Hyland
Congratulations to Tsleil-Waututh artist Ocean Hyland for designing the Vancouver Canucks’ new First Nations Celebration logo. Her beautiful work honours our Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s coastal connection, including the orca, the wolf, the eagle, and the raven.
Chief Justin George Named to Vancouver Magazine’s Power 50 List
Alongside leaders from Musqueam Indian Band and Squamish Nation, we were recognized on the Power 50 list for advancing the City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Action Plan, bringing affordable housing to Vancouver residents through the Attainable Housing Initiative, and shaping the hosting of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver.
Whey-ah-Wichen Shoreline Restoration Update: Picnic Shelter, Rain Gardens, and Beneficial Reuse 
The səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) Natural Resource Planning Team is excited to announce significant progress on the Whey-ah-Wichen shoreline restoration project. This fall saw the completion of the upland portion of the project. Perhaps the most exciting feature is a new picnic shelter, located between the boat launch and Wally’s Burgers, which features səlilwətaɬ red posts and yellow cedar beams.
səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) & Evolve E-Bike Share Partner for More Accessible, Connected Transportation
BCAA’s Evolve E-Bike Share is expanding services to səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), and by extending service along Dollarton Highway into Parkgate and Deep Cove. The new partnership between səlilwətaɬ and Evolve focuses on improving access to transport for Members within the community and enhancing connections with neighbouring communities.
Sunsets, S’mores, and Canoeing on Sasamat Lake – A Recap of the 2025 səlilwətaɬ Boat Trips to təmtəmíxʷtən 
Working collaboratively to re-establish our səlilwətaɬ community’s connection to təmtəmíxʷtən, an ancestral village site, our Nation’s Treaty, Lands and Resources Department, with support from Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, organized boat trips and events for the səlilwətaɬ community.