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 over W̱SÁNEĆ territory every day, they oversee zoning and land use planning, regulate the use of public spaces, including significant natural areas and hunting grounds, manage infrastructure, and are responsible for a variety of local services. Despite this, they have very little obligation to consult with W̱SÁNEĆ  – that’s why the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, on behalf of Tsartlip and Tseycum First Nations, is working to establish Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with each of these local government bodies. 

Cultural learning opportunities for local government elected officials & staff are one of a variety of priorities referenced in these MOUs. It’s important that local government decision-makers and operational staff have a better understanding of the whole history of the land that they work on. These Learning Sessions are intended to increase their awareness of W̱SÁNEĆ itself, and to ensure they are better informed of the wide-ranging impacts that colonization and racism have had on W̱SÁNEĆ. 

Currently, the WLC has two MOUs established with local governments – one with the District of Saanich and another with the Capital Regional District (CRD). The first of these Learning Sessions took place in June for their elected leadership and senior staff. The WLC will also look to make these opportunities available for other local governments with whom MOUs are being developed, such as, but not limited to, Town of Sidney, District of Highlands, and the Islands Trust. 

These learning opportunities are one small step towards reconciliation – helping to build awareness, ÁTOL (respect for the rights of others), and collaborative relationships between W̱SÁNEĆ and local governments. 

To stay up to date on WLC’s work with local governments, be sure to subscribe to the WLC newsletter.