Clarifying details on the Musqueam Indian Band’s “Rights Recognition Agreement”
On February 20, 2026, the Government of Canada announced it had signed an historic agreement with the Musqueam Indian Band recognizing rights, stewardship and fisheries. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is providing clarity on the agreement as it pertains to Squamish People. We will continue to provide updates when there are changes or updates regarding stewardship and fisheries rights.
Statement from Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Chairperson & Council)
As you may be aware, the Government of Canada recently announced it signed a series of agreements with the Musqueam Indian Band regarding its Aboriginal title in Metro Vancouver.
The agreements include one that is described as affirming Musqueam’s Aboriginal rights and title under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, and together with two other signed agreements, establishes a framework for shared decision-making over fisheries, marine stewardship, and land-use in their traditional territory. However, we are deeply concerned by publicly circulated materials — including maps — that appear to depict areas within Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw(Squamish Nation’s) Traditional Territory.
Let us be clear: The Squamish Nation government will defend and uphold our inherent Aboriginal rights and title. Any implication that another Nation’s agreement could extend into Squamish Territory will be challenged.
Squamish Nation was not consulted or meaningfully engaged by the federal government prior to the announcement of these agreements. We have formally requested an urgent meeting with federal officials to obtain full transparency on the agreements, including their scope, intent, and any implications for our territory and interests.
A comprehensive legal review of the agreements and its potential impacts is now underway. While the federal government has stated that this agreement does not affect the rights of other First Nations, we are independently verifying that claim and will take all necessary steps to protect Squamish Nation’s rights and title.
Finally, it remains our hope that we will continue to maintain a positive relationship with our relatives at the Musqueam Indian Band. However, Squamish Nation will challenge any process or agreement that undermines or disregards our rights, title, or jurisdiction.
What are the Musqueam Agreements
The federal government describes the Musqueam agreements as a “major step forward towards reconciliation and incremental implementation of Musqueam’s Aboriginal rights as affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.”
The agreements include:
- šxʷq̓ʷal̕təl̕tən A Rights Recognition Agreement – Recognizes that Musqueam has Aboriginal rights including title within their traditional territory and establishes a framework for incremental implementation of rights and nation-to-nation relations with Canada.
- xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Stewardship & Marine Management Agreement – Establishes bilateral collaborative working groups so that Musqueam knowledge and stewardship practices will guide shared decision-making in this incremental implementation agreement to protect and manage the waters and resources within Musqueam territory.
- xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Fisheries Agreement – Supports Musqueam’s and Canada’s shared decision-making role in collaborative fisheries management within Musqueam territory, and provides implementation funding as well as funding for access, vessels and gear through this incremental implementation agreement.
Read the full agreements here.
Read the Federal Government’s news release here.
Our Territory
For more information on Sḵwx̱wú7meshÚxwumixw (Squamish Nation) traditional territory — 6,732 square kilometres (673,200 hectares) from Vancouver to Gibsons Landing and the area north of Howe Sound — including our waterways and fisheries, click here.