Five years ago today, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Musqueam Indian Band signed a relationship agreement, formalizing a long-term partnership grounded in mutual respect, collaboration and reconciliation.
Since then, the agreement has helped advance a range of initiatives that support Musqueam and port authority priorities and strengthen the relationship between the two organizations. This includes educational and career development opportunities for Musqueam members, procurement opportunities for member-owned businesses, habitat restoration projects along the Fraser River foreshore and Musqueam Creek, cultural awareness initiatives, and enhanced dialogue through the Musqueam–Port Authority Committee and working groups.
“Over the past five years, our relationship with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority has created meaningful opportunities for Musqueam and our people,” said Chief Wayne Sparrow of Musqueam Indian Band. “From supporting our youth through education and employment opportunities to protecting and restoring the Fraser River, this partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when we work together with mutual respect and understanding. As the original stewards of these lands and waters, it is important that Musqueam has a voice in decisions that impact our territory. We look forward to continuing this work and building a stronger relationship that benefits our community and future generations.”
“Our relationship agreement with Musqueam has helped build a stronger partnership and created meaningful opportunities to work toward shared goals,” said Peter Xotta, President and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. “Over the past five years, we’ve collaborated on priorities such as employment and training initiatives, innovative environmental monitoring and restoration programs and responsible infrastructure project planning. This anniversary is an important milestone, and we look forward to building on our shared progress and continuing to advance reconciliation together.”
Five years of partnership:
Supporting Musqueam students
Since the scholarship program began in 2022, the port authority has awarded scholarships to more than 90 Musqueam students pursuing post-secondary education. Three Musqueam members have also gained hands-on work experience through the port authority’s harbour patrol co-op program.
Environmental projects and initiatives
Musqueam and the port authority partnered on a project to restore habitat along the Fraser River foreshore and the slough at the mouth of Musqueam Creek, as well as on a five-year study of eulachon and larval presence in the Fraser River. In 2026, the port authority partnered with Musqueam, Tsawwassen First Nation, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to pilot new technologies aimed at improving access for Indigenous crab harvesters at Roberts Bank.
Reflecting Musqueam culture
Musqueam art and culture are reflected across the port authority’s operations and projects, from a harbour patrol patch designed by Musqueam artist Kitty Guerin and a commissioned weaving by Master Weaver Robyn Sparrow for the port authority’s office, to art incorporated into projects such as the Holdom Overpass Project.
Economic opportunities
The port authority works closely with Musqueam Capital Corp. to connect Musqueam member-owned businesses and business partners with procurement opportunities across port authority projects.
Creating employment connections
The port authority builds employment connections with Musqueam in several ways, including sharing job opportunities, having a Musqueam advisor on its team, and regularly providing guest speakers for Musqueam’s trades and training program. Recently, members of Musqueam Employment and Training’s Career and Trades Cohort toured a Royal Caribbean cruise ship to explore potential careers onboard and across the broader maritime sector.
Consultation on port projects
Formal consultation conducted as part of the port authority’s Project and Environmental Review process (PER), including for the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project, the Holdom Overpass Project, Second Narrows dredging works and habitat enhancement projects.
Strengthening community connections
The port authority has participated in and supported Musqueam events and initiatives, including National Indigenous Peoples Day, the Annual Musqueam Canoe Races and the Chief Ernie Campbell Memorial Golf Classic. Musqueam has been an important partner in events at Canada Place, including Canada Together and Port Day.
(VFPA photos of Musqueam canoe race and aerial view of Port of Vancouver)