Wayne Sparrow

Chief Wayne Sparrow (yəχʷyaχʷələq) has served as elected chief of Musqueam Indian Band since 2012. Prior to that, Chief Sparrow served as an elected councillor of Musqueam Indian Band, starting in 1995. Chief Sparrow is Chair of Musqueam Capital Corporation (MCC), the economic development arm of Musqueam, and he sits on the Musqueam Fisheries Commission, which he chaired from 2000-2020. During his time as chief, the MST Development Corporation (MSTDC), a business partnership between Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, has acquired substantial property holdings of over 20 million square feet, including the Jericho Lands and Heather Lands. Chief Sparrow leads Musqueam in signing precedent-setting agreements that renew and strengthen relationships between Musqueam, neighbouring First Nations, governments, industry and other partners. Under Chief Sparrow’s leadership, Musqueam signed a 30-year agreement with the Vancouver International Airport in 2017, and in 2021 it signed a relationship agreement with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. These agreements recognize Musqueam’s ongoing stewardship of their lands and waters, and prioritize economic, education and training opportunities for members. In 2022, Chief Sparrow was awarded the Rix Award for Engaged Community Citizenship from the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade for his work advancing economic reconciliation and supporting youth and adult athletic programs.