National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30, 2026

September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day – a day to honour the Indigenous children who never returned home from residential schools, the Survivors, their families and communities, and to reflect on the lasting impacts of the residential school system.

For the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA), it is also an opportunity to reflect on our responsibility to reconciliation and on the relationships we are building with the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations, on whose traditional lands Victoria International Airport (YYJ) operates.

This year holds particular significance for VAA.

In February 2026, four W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations — BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱SÍ,ḴEM (Tseycum) — and VAA signed a 15-year Friendship Agreement establishing a long-term relationship grounded in respect (ÁTOL), cooperation (ĆȺINEUEL) and partnership (HIWESTEL).

The Agreement recognizes the longstanding relationship of the W̱SÁNEĆ people with the lands on which YYJ is situated and provides a framework for working together as the airport continues to evolve.

Importantly, the Friendship Agreement is not an end point. It represents a commitment to continued dialogue, relationship-building and meaningful action.

Through the Agreement, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations and VAA are working together in areas including culture and placemaking, employment, education and training opportunities, economic participation, communications and engagement, and environmental stewardship.

We are also continuing to look for meaningful ways to strengthen W̱SÁNEĆ presence and cultural recognition throughout YYJ, helping passengers, employees and visitors better understand the history, culture and continuing connection of the W̱SÁNEĆ people to these lands.

Reconciliation is long-term work. It requires listening, learning, building relationships and translating commitments into action.

As we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we encourage our airport community and the broader community we serve to take time to learn about the history and experiences of Indigenous peoples, reflect on the ongoing impacts of residential schools, and consider the role each of us can play in advancing reconciliation.

For VAA, that means continuing the work — together with the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations — to build a relationship based on respect, cooperation and partnership,