W̱SÁNEĆ  Leadership Council (W̱LC) is proud to announce that, on February 4, 2026, W̱SÁNEĆ and Victoria Airport Authority (VAA) and BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), and W̱SÍ,ḴEM (Tseycum), signed a 15-year Friendship Agreement acknowledging Victoria International Airport’s (the Airport’s) place on W̱SÁNEĆ’s traditional territory, recognizing W̱SÁNEĆ’s Aboriginal and Treaty rights, and establishing a long-term, collaborative relationship grounded in ÁTOL (respect), ĆȺINEUEL (cooperation), and HIWESTEL (partnership).

The signing ceremony took place at 10:30AM at the Mary Winspear Centre and was attended by leadership from BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), and W̱SÍ,ḴEM (Tseycum), as well as VAA representatives. 

The Friendship Agreement is the result of years of discussion regarding the Airport’s place on W̱SÁNEĆ’s traditional territory and W̱SÁNEĆ’s inability to exercise Douglas Treaty rights on this territory. The W̱LC assisted the communities with the negotiations of the Agreement and now with the Agreement in hand, and before the WLC leaves the communities to implement, the W̱LC’s top priority is community engagement.

VAA currently occupies nearly 1200 acres, including many sites traditionally used by W̱SÁNEĆ and sites that are essential for W̱SÁNEĆ’s food security. Nonetheless, W̱SÁNEĆ have been barred from Airport lands since the late-1930s, making it impossible to exercise traditional rights and responsibilities in these areas. Further, until now, W̱SÁNEĆ have held no formal role in decision making related to the Airport and the land is sits on, rendering W̱SÁNEĆ unable to steward the land. Finally, despite these impacts, W̱SÁNEĆ receive little to no benefit from the immense revenue generated by the Airport.

To learn more about W̱SÁNEĆ’s relationship to the land occupied by VAA and the history of discussions between W̱LC, Transport Canada, and VAA, visit W̱LC’s blog.

While the Friendship Agreement is not a complete solution to the infringement of Douglas Treaty rights over the last 90 years, it is an important step in the right direction. Specifically, the Agreement helps to restore the connection between W̱SÁNEĆ and the traditional lands occupied by the Airport, increase W̱SÁNEĆ’s economic benefit from Airport activities, and establish W̱SÁNEĆ’s participation in decision-making processes by:

1)   creating a new, collaborative Advisory Committee with representation from W̱SÁNEĆ;

2)   creating a Technical Working Group;

3)   establishing a dedicated W̱SÁNEĆ Liaison Officer within VAA;

4)   putting in place clear engagement and communication protocols;

5)   establishing a collaborative relationship for culture, heritage protection, and placemaking at the Airport;

6)   providing employment, training, and education opportunities for W̱SÁNEĆ;

7)   providing support for W̱SÁNEĆ business and procurement opportunities;

8)   creating joint environmental stewardship initiatives; and

9)   implementing annual economic contributions to W̱SÁNEĆ linked to airport revenues.

The initial agreement lasts for 15 years, and the parties may choose to renew it.

As the parties move forward with implementation, W̱LC wants tol make community information sessions a top priority. During community information sessions, we will provide a complete overview of the contents of the Agreement and community members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Agreement and how it is going to be implemented. W̱LC will announce dates and locations of upcoming community engagement sessions shortly.

W̱LC celebrates the Agreement’s recognition of W̱SÁNEĆ’s longstanding connection to the land and looks forward to the ways it will bring economic benefits to W̱SÁNEĆ, ensure W̱SÁNEĆ’s voices are heard.  

To stay up to date on the latest developments, opportunities for community engagement, and other stories about W̱LC’s work uplifting W̱SÁNEĆ and protecting Douglas Treaty rights, be sure to subscribe to W̱LC’s newsletter.