The band members voted 106-60 in early 2000 to end the leases. Back when the vote was taken, Chief Peter James was worried about the loss of the roughly $70,000 in annual lease fees - about $2,000 per site. He's no longer concerned.

"It's not going to affect us that drastically, although every little bit helps," James said Wednesday. "Who knows, maybe five years from now we'll be making 10 times as much."

The band is in the midst of a land use study to determine the best uses for its properties at Pitt Lake, Barnston Island, Pitt Meadows and Langley. The unserviced Pitt Lake site is likely more suited for tourism than homes, James said. It's also considered an untapped resource, necessary to help the band and its members - many of whom are unemployed - become financially independent.

"We really don't have any plans at this time," he said. "First and foremost, they (band members) want the land back. We want the land back and we want it in our possession."

Back at the lake, Katzie Cabin Owners Association president Brian Reese is drinking coffee on the deck of his waterfront cabin.

"It's like having a divorce you don't want," he said. "We all knew our lease would be over with. We all thought it would renewed, of course."

Reese and his family, who live in Surrey, have spent more than a decade of weekends and summers at their cabin. He shows it off with the pride of a do-it-yourselfer.

Over the years, a window-lined living room and covered deck have been added to the original A-frame, and a guesthouse was built out back. Off-the-grid living has necessitated a mix of amenities: a wood stove, solar panels, propane-powered fridge and stove and a composting toilet.

Water is boated in or drawn from the lake. Inside, the decor is rustic and homey - blanket-covered couches, snapshots covering several walls like wallpaper.

Reese admits it was risky to invest $40,000 in a leased property. The plan was initially to use the cabin as-is for 10 years - until a blizzard hit during their first Christmas there.