The federal government has transferred nearly 200 acres of former Department of National Defence land to the Snuneymuxw First Nation near Nanaimo.

The land, which is made up of several parcels, totals 194.7 acres (78.8 hectares) and is being added to the nation’s reserve lands through the federal government’s “addition to reserve” process.

The property is located in the Mount Benson (Snuneymuxw’s te’tuxwtun) area, and the nation is looking at using the land to build housing, commercial spaces, enhanced infrastructure and “other economic development opportunities,” according to a joint release from the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Ministry of Crown-Indigenous Relations on Thursday.

“Snuneymuxw First Nation’s reserve land base is the lowest per capita reserve land base in B.C.,” reads the

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