Land is scarce in the Lower Mainland with a reported 1.9 per cent vacancy rate. The First Nations Community is on par with the some of the biggest land owners in the area and they are open to business, according to Sqewqel Development Corporation CEO Brian Titus, who will be a guest speaker at the 2nd Annual Agassiz-Harrison First Nations Forum on Tues. Oct 25.
The forum will be held at the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel and hosted by the six Sto: lo First Nations communities in the Agassiz Harrison area including Seabird Island First Nation, Sts' ailes First Nation, Chawathl First Nation, Cheam First Nation, Schowlitx First Nation, and Shxw'ohamel First Nation.
"Building Partnerships for the Future" is the theme of the event which focuses on business partnerships and marketing First Nation land reserve leases to businesses from the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley area.
“We are are looking for specific opportunities in creating partnerships, land leasing, commercial and industrial development, natural resources (forestry, independent power projects, mining, etc.) while providing business opportunities and partnerships with First Nations in the area as well as:
. Residential Development
. Commercial and Industrial Development
. Natural Resources (forestry, independent power projects, mining, etc.)
. Creating Partnership with First Nations for Major Projects
. Creating Partnerships with First Nations for Service industry.”
A host of knowledgeable and industry-based guest speakers will be featured throughout the evening including commercial sales and leasing sales specialist Mike Hardy from Cushman Wakefield, who will give an overview of the commercial development market in the Fraser Valley.
Also on site will be Jeff Gaulin, VP of Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, and Ian Anderson who will speak about what the Trans Mountain Pipeline will mean for the local economy through contracts and jobs during its construction phase and final stages of completion.
“We have rich investors from Calgary — together they own four hotels, shopping malls, business buildings, restaurants, and developments in both Residential and Industrial,” said Titus.
First Nations communities are critical for the development of business and transport according to Business Development Officer at Sqewqel Development Corporation, Trevor Morrison.
“Now, more than ever is the most opportune time to build strong partnerships with First Nations and non-First Nations to help the business community grow,” he said. “We want to attract business from the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley area.”
This unique networking opportunity offers a rare glimpse into the experience necessary to build effective, productive and sustainable partnerships with First Nations in the real estate and energy sectors.
A dinner will accompany the evening in which native art will be auctioned off to raise funds for youth initiatives at Seabird Island.
The forum was specifically designed for civil contractors, building contractors, residential developers, commercial and industrial developers and natural resource-based business owners.
“We are open for business and we're prepared to build partnerships and to thrive in the business community, while Seabird Island works to rebuild the traditional skill and knowledge-base that will empower us to become fully self-sufficient and self-reliant in today’s world,” said Morrison.
For more information about the forum check out the website www.ahfnbf.ca