Semiahmoo First Nation Chief Harley Chappell speaks at the announcement in Campbell Heights, declaring the intention of three First Nations to seek the return of the Crown land.
Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo Nations call for return of unceded territory in Surrey
by Sobia Moman
June 26, 2024
The Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations with traditional, unceded lands in the area now called Surrey are calling for a portion of the territory to be returned to the three nations.
“The land is rightfully ours,” Chief Grace George of the Katzie First Nation explained at the announcement on Wednesday morning (June 26).
Traditionally named k’ʷeq’ənəq (Kwek-en-nek), the lands now known as Campbell Heights North in Surrey is 300 acres of federally owned industrial-zoned land that is largely used for farming by the Heppell family. Growing vegetables for more than 50 years, the farming family has been attempting to preserve the land under the province’s Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to prevent it from being developed.
“We occupied and once thrived in this territory for thousands of years,” George said, adding that the parcel of land was used to trade and travel between the three nations.
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