Saanich, WSÁNEĆ leaders stress reconciliation with signing

The WSÁNEĆ Leadership Council and the District of Saanich have formalized their resolve in the pursuit of reconciliation and collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding.

The WSÁNEĆ reference to the document is “ÁTOL,NEUEL”, or “respecting one another.”

“The District of Saanich get their name from our people, and they make decisions about our lands and water without our participation,” said Tsartlip First Nation Chief Don Tom. “This MOU is a first step toward changing this relationship and creating a welcoming feeling for WSÁNEĆ people on our homelands.

“We look forward to the exciting and difficult conversations ahead knowing that the District of Saanich is working in good faith toward our shared goals of reconciliation.”

There are three WSÁNEĆ First Nations: Tsartlip, Tseycum and Tsawout.

“As part of Saanich’s commitment to putting our actions into truth and reconciliation, it’s essential we build government-to-government relationships,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. “We’re so delighted to be taking truly meaningful steps by establishing this MOU.”

The document arose from dialogue between the parties during the planning process for the Cordova Bay local area plan, and stresses a number of themes. They include recognition of WSÁNEĆ rights, history and culture, environmental concerns, parks management, protection of ancestral rights, public-art and education projects, and economic development — including housing.

A priority identified by the leadership council is Saanich’s recognition of Douglas Treaty rights, the oral history of the Douglas Treaties and the United Nations declaration of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Changing current names of places and landmarks to Indigenous names is a priority in the memorandum of understanding, Saanich said on its website.

“Place names provide a way to welcome and meaningfully include WSÁNEĆ Nation in the current fabric of the community, including renaming sites of significance.”