Presented by Snuneymuxw First Nation

About Snuneymuxw First Nation:

The Snuneymuxw are a vibrant First Nation of the Coast Salish People, residing in the centre of Coast Salish territory on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, with villages on the Fraser River and waterways in the Gulf Islands. Snuneymuxw First Nation is one of the largest Nations in B.C. with a population of approximately 2,000 people. In 2021, Snuneymuxw First Nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Canada and B.C., which marks a transformative shift from the extinguishment of rights, to recognizing and implementing the Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854, a pre-Confederation treaty with the Crown. Additionally, the Reconciliation Implementation Framework Agreement and the Land Transfer Agreement with the province of B.C. serve a similar purpose of acknowledging the rights and people of Snuneymuxw. Snuneymuxw First Nation has also established a protocol agreement with the City of Nanaimo, which adopts a cooperative and mutually beneficial approach to recognizing our Treaty. https://www.snuneymuxw.ca

Petroglyph Development Group (PDG) is the Nation?s economic development arm, dedicated to fostering sustainable business growth and creating opportunities that benefit the community. Recently, PDG launched Sarlequun Transport Inc., a trucking services company serving industries such as forestry, construction, mining, and general freight. Additionally, PDG has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Casino Nanaimo and Elements Casino, now rebranded as Casino Victoria. These new ventures join PDG?s existing businesses, including Petroglyph Forestry, Coast Salish Canna, Big Island Seafood, Snuneymuxw Gas Bar, Petroglyph Properties, Tuytaxun General Store Ltd., Saysutshun (Newcastle Island), and Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo. https://petroglyphdg.com/

About our Speaker:


Erralyn Joseph

Councilor, Snuneymuxw First Nation
 

Erralyn Joseph's role as the Assistant Negotiator for Snuneymuxw First Nation and her presidency at Petroglyph Development Group has been instrumental in driving forward the Nation?s economic growth and championing the legal authority of the Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854. She is a member of the board of directors at the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, the Nanaimo Prosperity Corporation, and is the Executive Advisor and an elected Councillor for Snuneymuxw First Nation. 

Erralyn's career has been informed by her experience as Government of BC Aboriginal Youth Intern, Youth Representative for BC Assembly of First Nations, Governor of Vancouver Island University, University of British Columbia law graduate, and her time playing lacrosse for Niagara University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in criminology and political science.