səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) are “People of the Inlet” and have used and occupied the lands and waters of səlilwət (Burrard Inlet) and surrounding watersheds since time out of mind. səlilwətaɬ holds inherent and longstanding Indigenous rights and title throughout our territory, including to the land – upland, intertidal, and submerged – water, air and resources therein. These rights are recognized and affirmed by Canada (Section 35 of the Constitution) as well as internationally (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People).

səlilwətaɬ has a profound obligation to both our Ancestors and future generations to protect and care for our water, land, air, and resources. Our teams within the Treaty, Lands, and Resources (TLR) Department combine Indigenous and western science, and lead many research, policy, and restoration projects to help clean up səlilwət (Burrard Inlet). 

Water Quality

TWN has been leading a project, in collaboration with the Province of BC, to update the Water Quality Objectives for Burrard Inlet. This is a high priority action item in the TWN’s Burrard Inlet Action Plan, and is an important step towards improving the water quality and health of Burrard Inlet and protecting Water Values. Results include the following: