Media Contacts

Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Media Relations
250 893-2028

Te’mexw Treaty Association

info@temexw.org
250 360-2202

Backgrounders

Find out more about the proposed treaties with the Te’mexw Treaty Association
Updated Jan. 30, 2023, for clarification

Negotiations between the Te’mexw Treaty Association (TTA), B.C. and Canada are coming to a close. Join TTA, B.C. and Canada at an open house to find out more and share input on the five proposed treaties.

Treaties are the embodiment of living relationships between First Nations, B.C. and Canada. They help support strong, healthy, thriving communities, benefit Indigenous Peoples and other residents of Canada, and set partners on a clear path to reconciliation.

The Te’mexw treaties are also intended to create jobs, promote investment and economic development, build housing, support tourism, and encourage investments in infrastructure, all of which will benefit the southern Vancouver Island region.

In-person open houses (drop-in, subject to public health regulations)

  • Saturday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Songhees Wellness Centre, 1100 Admirals Rd., Victoria
  • Thursday, March 2, 4:30-7 p.m., Edward Milne Community school, 6218 Sooke Rd., Sooke
  • Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Quarterdeck, Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Rd., Colwood
  • Monday, March 6, 4:30-7 p.m., Nanoose Bay Community Centre, 2925 NW Bay Rd., Nanoose Bay
  • Tuesday, March 7, 4:30-7 p.m., George Jay Elementary, 1118 Princess Ave., Victoria
  • Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Shawnigan Lake Community Hall, 2804 Shawnigan Lake Rd., Shawnigan Lake
  • Wednesday, March 15, 4:30-7 p.m., Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd., Victoria

Virtual Open Houses (pre-registration required)

  • Wednesday, April 5, 2:30-4 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 13, 6-7:30 p.m.

Email for more information: Temexw.Treaty@gov.bc.ca

Sign up for treaty updates: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/temexw-treaty-negotiations/

What people are saying about the Te’mexw Treaties
Updated on Jan. 31, 2023

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill –

“We’re taking an important step forward together in this treaty process as we all work towards meaningful and lasting reconciliation. I’m excited about the opportunity for our community to come together to learn more about this process and how we are working together as governments.”

John Horgan, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca

“I’m pleased to see more progress in Te’mexw Treaty negotiations. The process has been a long one, but I am confident the T’Sou-ke Nation and others at the table are focused on concluding the treaty and building stronger communities on Vancouver Island.”

Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin

“This is an important step forward to take together, after years of negotiations between local Nations and the provincial government. I’m looking forward to learning more and supporting this process as we move through these negotiations, and continue to advance reconciliation in a meaningful way.”

Celeste Haldane, chief commissioner, BC Treaty Commission –

“Modern treaties protect and promote First Nations rights, lands and resources, and advance reconciliation for all. Transferring these lands to the First Nations will provide economic opportunities that benefit the entire region for generations. We have witnessed that when a First Nation prospers the entire region prospers.

The BC Treaty Commission encourages everyone wanting to learn more about modern treaties, reconciliation, and the Te’mexw Treaty Association Nations to please come out to the upcoming open houses.”

Marianne Alto, mayor, Victoria

“Discovery Island has been important to the Songhees people for millennia. I’m grateful for their stewardship and for their continued interest in ongoing public access for environmentally sensitive recreation that respects their traditions and protocols. Last March, the City of Victoria provided a formal letter of support recognizing Songhees’ Treaty Settlement Lands within city boundaries. The inclusion of Discovery Island in the Songhees Treaty is a significant step in the treaty process and in relations with First Nations governments. We support Songhees’ mission to negotiate return of their traditional lands in Lək̓ʷəŋən territory through Treaty. The city is unwavering in our commitment to working government-to-government with Songhees on our collective paths of reconciliation."

Kevin Murdoch, mayor, District of Oak Bay –

“The upcoming modern treaties provide an unique and exciting opportunity to ensure First Nations control their own economic and cultural futures. I appreciate the Province and Te’mexw Treaty Association jointly creating this opportunity for the broader public to both learn and to provide input. It will be beneficial for all to hear how these regional sites, so central to Indigenous cultural history, are currently used and what they might look like in the future.”

Maja Tait, mayor, Sooke –

“The District of Sooke looks forward to the completion of treaty discussions with the T’Sou-ke Nation as we continue our work toward reconciliation with the original inhabitants of the land on which we live. We also look forward to the public open houses and sharing the information that comes forward with members of our communities.”

Colin Plant, board chairperson, Capital Regional District (CRD) –

“The CRD welcomes this announcement as a positive step toward reconciliation in action, and commits to ongoing collaboration as the Nations realize their vision for self-determination and reconciliation on their territories.”

Aaron Stone, chairperson, Cowichan Valley Regional District –

“We congratulate the Nations on this important progress toward reconciliation through these critical land agreements. We look forward to supporting Malahat Nation and all the Nations however we are able to through this process as they continue to grow their land holdings and strengthen economic opportunities for their people. We are committed to moving forward in a good way, supporting a brighter future for everyone in our region.”

Vanessa Craig, chairperson, Nanaimo Regional District –

We celebrate this significant step in the treaty process with the members of the Te’mexw Treaty Association. The Regional District of Nanaimo looks forward to embracing opportunities to support and partner with the Snaw-Naw-As Nation as it works toward self-determination, which will benefit the entire region.”