Last week, we gathered at the Sqwá Community Centre for Setting the Table for Community Dialogue – Part 2.
The room brought together First Nations leadership, local government, and community partners with a shared purpose: to continue building relationships, deepen understanding, and explore how we move forward, together.
At the center of the conversation was Additions to Reserve (ATR), led by Cody Hall. While ATR is often understood as a land process, what became clear throughout the discussion is that it is much more than that.
It is a tool for building communities.
Reframing ATR: From Process to Opportunity
ATR enables First Nations to add land to reserve, strengthening governance and creating opportunities for economic development. But the broader impact reaches far beyond jurisdictional boundaries.
When approached collaboratively, ATR can support:
• Affordable housing
• Schools and childcare
• Infrastructure such as water, sewer, and transportation
• Senior living and community services
These are not isolated needs. They are shared challenges across our region.
What stood out in the discussion is that ATR, when understood and leveraged effectively, can help address these challenges in meaningful and timely ways.
More Than a Process
There are formal steps involved in ATR, applications, notifications, legal considerations, and coordination with multiple levels of government.
But the message was clear:
The process is only one part of the equation.
The real impact comes from:
• Early conversations
• Transparency
• Trust
Notification is not the same as collaboration. And strong outcomes are built long before formal letters are sent.
A Shared Path Forward
Across the discussion, there was a consistent theme:
We are all working toward the same goals.
Whether it’s housing, infrastructure, economic opportunity, or community wellbeing, the priorities are aligned.
First Nations communities, municipalities, and regional partners are all navigating:
• Growth pressures
• Land constraints
• Infrastructure demands
ATR presents an opportunity not to work around one another, but to work with one another.
Innovation and Thinking Differently
The conversation also opened the door to thinking differently about land use and development.
From vertical farming and food security solutions to mixed-use development and infrastructure innovation, ATR creates space to explore new approaches, particularly in a region where land is limited and demand is growing.
There is a real opportunity to move beyond traditional models and consider how partnerships can unlock new possibilities.
Community in Action
The dialogue was strengthened by updates from local First Nations leaders, highlighting the work already underway:
• Investments in youth spaces, cultural infrastructure, and environmental stewardship
• Planning for schools, housing, and long-term community growth
• Economic development initiatives grounded in sustainability and community values
• Strengthening partnerships with local government and regional organizations
These are not future ideas; they are active efforts shaping our region today.
The Role of Relationship
If there was one takeaway from the session, it is this:
Progress happens at the speed of trust.
The willingness to come together, to listen, and to engage in open and honest dialogue is what moves this work forward.
There is no single solution to the challenges we face. But there is a clear path, one built on collaboration, respect, and a shared commitment to community.
Looking Ahead
These conversations matter.
They are helping to shift how we think, from separate systems and processes to shared outcomes and opportunities.
At the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to help create space for these discussions and to support continued collaboration across our region.
Because ultimately, the future we are building is a shared one.