The Musqueam Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Department seeks to advance better governance of Musqueam, take pride in our culture, protect our environment, and conserve natural resources.

About Intergovernmental Affairs

The IGA department does a wide-range of work, including:

• Review, assess, respond: Ensure projects within Musqueam territory include and incorporate Musqueam review and risk assessment processes that use traditional knowledge and uphold our stewardship role to protect our lands and waters
• Interest-based negotiations: Secure agreements with the Crown and proponents of major projects that could include elements of shared decision-making, capacity, and implementation resources, employment and training, equity, revenue-sharing, and ecosystem restoration
• Free, Prior, and Informed Consent: Ensure that projects within Musqueam’s territory are not developed without our free, prior and informed consent.
• Energy efficiency and alternatives:  Assist Musqueam to develop energy efficiency in capital projects and infrastructure including clean energy options for use by its members, and as a means to support low-carbon energy generation
• Represent Musqueam at various meetings and venues on issues related to Crown held lands, land claim negotiations, and major development projects
• Work with Musqueam Council, the CAO and legal counsel while attending to day-to-day interaction with outside agencies that impact Musqueam interests
• Work with Council and community to build a stronger, healthier, self-governing and self-sustaining Musqueam Nation, through ongoing negotiations with the Crown and external organizations

Department Contact: Larissa Grant, Manager – [email protected]

Initial Referral Review

Expectations for proponents & regulators

Musqueam should be contacted at the initial stages of project planning for all projects within Musqueam territory.

Early communication with Intergovernmental Affairs is critical to shaping the project engagement approach and to assessing environmental, cultural, and social impacts. Open communication at early project stages is also the best way to identify shared priorities and areas of consensus.

We look forward to working collaboratively with you in a manner that upholds and protects Musqueam’s rights.

An initial referral information package must include:

• Clear and detailed project description, including location, schedule and proposed activities
• Anticipated regulatory processes (e.g. Water Sustainability Act, Fisheries Act authorization, provincial environmental assessment etc.)
• Information about any archaeological or environmental studies that have been completed to date and/or planned future studies
• Information related to Musqueam Heritage Investigation/Research Permit related to the project
• Copies of any previous correspondence with the Musqueam Indian Band about the project
• High quality map(s) of project location and works
• GIS files: Shapefiles (preferred) and/or Google Earth KMZ or KML files (alternative)
• High quality aerial imagery of the proposed project site and surrounding area
• Musqueam Indian Band may request additional documents as required to make informed projects decisions

The referral information package for the proposed project or works should be sent to: [email protected]