The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) is engaging with the local governments that operate in and make decisions over W̱SÁNEĆ Territory – not because there is a desire for W̱SÁNEĆ to become more like municipalities and regional districts, but because it’s time their decision-making processes consider W̱SÁNEĆ interests.

  • Tsartlip and Tseycum sign Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Langford through W̱LC

    On September 22, 2026, the City of Langford, W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip First Nation), and W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum First Nation), through the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (W̱LC), came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a shared commitment to strengthen relationships, foster collaboration, and advance priorities that benefit current and future generations. The MOU establishes a [...]

  • Tsartlip and Tseycum sign historic Memorandums of Understanding with both Central Saanich and Sidney

    W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip First Nation) and W̱SÍḴEM (Tseycum First Nation) have signed historic Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the municipalities of Central Saanich and Sidney. The two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), signed on July 10, are separate tripartite agreements arranged through the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (W̱LC), including: An MOU between the District of Central Saanich and [...]

  • Walking Side by Side: First Nations and the Future of Regional Governance

    Did you know that southern island First Nations in modern treaty negotiations have the ability to negotiate a seat at the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Board of Directors table? In recent years, the BC Government and CRD have expressed interest in having all First Nations participate as voting members at the regional district board [...]

  • WLC Hosts Learning Sessions for Local Government Senior Officials

    The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, as part of its government-to-government relationships with the municipalities and regional districts that operate within W̱SÁNEĆ territory, hosted Awareness Learning Sessions for elected officials and senior staff. These sessions provided a unique opportunity to learn about W̱SÁNEĆ history, territory, culture, rights, laws, and ways of being.  Local governments make decisions [...]

  • Celebration and Ceremony Help Complete PKOLS Naming Process

    PKOLS — or “White Rock” or White Head” — was once again the site of an important gathering and ceremony today, as a celebration and sign rededication event completed the process to restore the mountain’s name. In 2013, the W̱SÁNEĆ people marched up PKOLS and dedicated a sign placed at the summit, created by [...]

  • WLC Calls Upon Local Governments to Implement Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action

    The cumulative impact of the decisions made by local governments – such as zoning and land use decisions, bylaw promulgation, and regulations affecting significant natural areas, hunting grounds, and the overall health of the lands and waters – have significant impacts on W̱SÁNEĆ Territory, rights, and interests. Despite this, local government bodies have little [...]

  • The CRD, Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations sign Memorandum of Understanding

    The CRD, Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations sign Memorandum of Understanding Victoria, BC– Capital Regional District (CRD), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), and W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) First Nations, through the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC), are pleased to announce they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing their government-to-government relationship. The CRD operates on the Territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ people, who [...]

  • UNDRIP Provides Opportunity for W̱SÁNEĆ to Collaborate with Local Governments

    UNDRIP and Local Governments The everyday decisions and actions of local governments – ranging from regulating significant natural areas and hunting grounds to creating regulations that directly affect the health of the land and water – have profound, often harmful impacts on the rights of W̱SÁNEĆ. In fact, there are so many cumulative impacts [...]

  • Local Governments’ Lack of Consultation Presents Opportunity for Collaboration

    Every day, local governments make decisions that significantly impact W̱SÁNEĆ rights and interests. Despite these far-reaching impacts, there is very little obligation on any local government body to consult with or consider W̱SÁNEĆ. W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (“WLC”) will explore this lack of duty to consult and the many opportunities for collaboration that might fill [...]

  • W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and District of Saanich sign ÁTOL,NEUEL MOU

    W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and District of Saanich sign ÁTOL,NEUEL MOU News release For immediate release December 3, 2021 Saanich, BC – The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (WLC) and the District of Saanich formalized their commitment to reconciliation and are pursuing opportunities for collaboration with the signing of an ÁTOL,NEUEL (“Respecting One Another”) Memorandum of Understanding [...]