Introduction

Chief’s Letter   

əy̓ sweyəl,  

Sixteen years ago, Tsawwassen First Nation made history by adopting our first Land Use Plan. That plan was a powerful expression of our vision for the future—a future rooted in our identity, guided by our values, and shaped by our inherent right to self-government affirmed by the Tsawwassen Treaty.  

Today, we continue that journey. After two years of community engagement, dialogue, and collaboration, I am excited to share the Land Use Plan Update – ʔi ct scəẁaθən təməxʷ Our Tsawwassen Lands. This updated plan reflects the voices of our Members, the wisdom of our Elders, and the hopes of our Youth. The Land Use Plan is now grounded in the principles of Culture, Care, and Community, and guided by the spirit of nəc̓aʔmat – working together as one.  

At the 2025 Members Gathering, our community overwhelmingly voted in support of the Land Use Plan Update. This strong show of support and energy I witnessed from the community confirms that our Nation is not only exercising self-government in theory – we are living it in practice. We are making decisions about our lands, our future, and our way of life, together.  

The 2009 Land Use Plan focused on unlocking economic opportunities, now we are prepared to carry it forward more holistically in 2025, rooted in Tsawwassen culture. The update to our Land Use Plan aligns with the guiding principles of our xʷəliw̓ ənstəxʷ k̓ʷθə syə́w̓én̓əł ct (Honouring Our Ancestors) Charter, especially the foundational pillar of Language, Culture, and Healing. By planning how we use and protect our lands, we are creating space for cultural revitalization, community wellness, and the healing of our People. We are honouring our ancestors by continuing the work they began, and we are preparing a strong foundation for our generations to come.  

Whether you live on or off Tsawwassen Lands, this is your Nation, your home, and your future. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together, and Executive Council and I look forward to continuing the next stage of our journey with all of you. 

Acknowledgements  

This Land Use Plan update is the result of a collective effort by the TFN, the Community, and partners. Executive Council was instrumental in providing leadership and vision throughout this process.  

We are deeply grateful to Tsawwassen Members for their active involvement and thoughtful participation to the development of this plan. Your contributions through TFN Family Meetings, Off-Land and Online Member Engagement, Youth Engagement, Elder Lunch Engagement, Member Open House, and various TFN committees have shaped this plan and ensured it reflects the values, priorities, and aspirations of our Nation.  

A special thank you to Advisory Council, Housing Advisory Committee, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Natural Resources Advisory Committee, Standing Committee of Language and Culture, and Economic Development Advisory Committee for their guidance and expertise. Your input was vital in balancing cultural, environmental, and economic considerations.  

We acknowledge the work of TFN staff across all departments who supported this process through coordination, facilitation, and technical expertise. Your dedication has helped bring this plan to life.

We also recognize the contributions of our leaseholders – residential, commercial, and industrial – whose input complimented a shared vision for the sustainable development of Tsawwassen Lands.  

Finally, we thank our regional stakeholders for their collaboration and continued partnership to support TFN’s goals of community development, land stewardship, and a thriving Tsawwassen culture.

Together, we created a Land Use Plan in the spirit of nəc̓aʔmat that truly reflects Tsawwassen’s vision and values in present and future.