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 (MOU).

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

The MOU represents a commitment by the WLC and Saanich to develop a strong and fair government-to-government relationship based on respect, co-operation, and partnership to address shared interests and priorities.

“As part of Saanich’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, it’s essential we build government-to-government relationships,” said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes. “We’re taking the first steps by establishing this MOU in support of ongoing, positive and mutually respectful discussions.”

Building from the rich dialogue that arose through the Cordova Bay local area planning process, the MOU outlines key areas of interest and priority for the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council and Saanich within the following themes:

• Recognition of W̱SÁNEĆ rights, history, and culture;
• Governance and implementation of MOU;
• Environmental concerns;
• Protection of ancestral sites;
• Public art and education projects;
• Economic development opportunities, including housing; and
• Parks management. 

In addition, priorities identified by the WLC include Saanich Recognition of Douglas Treaty Rights and Oral History of the Douglas Treaties and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Saanich Council and staff will work toward these outcomes through dialogue and education. 

The MOU is a living document and starting point that reflects generations of continuing work. The WLC and Saanich will develop protocol agreements, committees, and working groups, and meet Council to Council regularly and where appropriate to review work plans and progress.

Learn more
The MOU and questions and answers document with more information are available at https://wsanec.com/ and saanich.ca.

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Media contacts:
Chief Don Tom
Chairperson, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council
778-351-4969

Megan Catalano
Communications Manager, District of Saanich
megan.catalano@saanica.ca
250-475-7639

About W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council
W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council Society is a unified, legal governing body comprised of three
W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations: Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Tsawout. It aims to promote the interests of the
W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations by enhancing recognition of, and respect for, W̱SÁNEĆ Douglas Treaty
rights and W̱SÁNEĆ Aboriginal rights and title. The W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council promotes the
W̱SÁNEĆ culture, traditional practices, and language, including the original W̱SÁNEĆ management
of the environment as it was meant to be. The WLC also seeks to promote sustainable and
equitable development of resources within W̱SÁNEĆ Territory.

About District of Saanich
The District of Saanich is an urban, rural and coastal municipality on Vancouver Island in British
Columbia. It is the largest municipality in the Capital Regional District with an area of 103
square kilometres and the most populated with more than 114,000 residents. Saanich aims to
enhance the quality of life for citizens, visitors and future generations in the municipality and the
region and to further Saanich citizens' economic, physical and social well-being.

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