YVR Appoints Indigenous Relations Manager as part of 30-year Agreement

 Mary Point to help implement the Musqueam-YVR Agreement

RICHMOND, BC, May 4, 2018 /CNW/ - Vancouver Airport Authority is pleased to announce that Mary Point has been hired as the Manager of Indigenous Relations at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as part of the Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement. Mary will help to further develop the relationship between the two parties, facilitating the elements of this agreement and exploring new joint business opportunities.

"I am committed to ensuring this agreement meets the expectations of both groups and results in the continuous building of a positive and mutually beneficial friendship," said Mary Point, Manager, Indigenous Relations, Vancouver Airport Authority. "The Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement is a milestone that will ensure we manage the airport for the benefit of everyone."

"We are pleased to be moving forward with implementing the Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement," said Anne Murray, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Vancouver Airport Authority. "Mary brings Musqueam heritage and extensive experience in strategic communications, partnerships and community relations to her new position."

Mary worked throughout British Columbia for two decades, developing strategic partnerships with a range of First Nations communities and local businesses, and for the last seven years with Musqueam Indian Band in community planning and facilities management.

On June 21, 2017, YVR and Musqueam signed the Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement. The first of its kind, this 30-year agreement recognizes that, being located on Musqueam traditional territory, YVR has a responsibility to work with Musqueam and achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial future for our community. The agreement includes a number of benefits including scholarships, new jobs, revenue sharing, identification and protection of archeological resources and support for ongoing operations and long-term development at YVR.

Musqueam and YVR also appointed representatives to sit on a Musqueam—YVR Committee, which ensures an effective working relationship. Members of the committee include Mary Point, Musqueam Councillors Wendy Grant-John and Tammy Harkey and YVR Vice Presidents Glenn McCoy and Anne Murray.

ABOUT THE MUSQUEAM INDIAN BAND
The Musqueam people have lived in our present location for thousands of years. Our traditional territory occupies what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas. Our people moved throughout our traditional territory using the resources the land provided for fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering, to maintain their livelihood. Today, the Musqueam people still use these resources for economical and traditional purposes. Although a metropolitan city has developed in the heart of Musqueam territory, our community maintains strong cultural and traditional beliefs. Our community historians and educators teach and pass on our history to our people, which has always been the way of our people, to keep our culture and traditions strong. Today our population flourishes and we are a strong community of over thousand members. We live on a very small portion of our traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River.

ABOUT VANCOUVER AIRPORT AUTHORITY
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served 24.2 million passengers in 2017. Fifty-six airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 127 non-stop destinations worldwide. In 2016, YVR received CAPA Centre for Aviation's prestigious Airport of the Year Award and was voted Best Airport in North America for the ninth consecutive year in the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2018. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2017 donated more than $1,000,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor.

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority

Musqueam Indian Band, Gordon Grant, Protocol and Communications, [email protected], 604-862-0231; YVR Media Relations, [email protected], 604-880-9815, @yvrairport