{"id":3277,"date":"2022-10-06T13:13:23","date_gmt":"2022-10-06T20:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yyj.eclipsedev.tk\/?page_id=3277"},"modified":"2026-02-04T15:48:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T22:48:41","slug":"the-wsanec-first-nations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/yyj.ca\/en\/environment-sustainability\/the-wsanec-first-nations\/","title":{"rendered":"The W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 Nation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Community<\/h2>\n

THE W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 NATION<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n
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The Victoria International Airport is located on the homelands of the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 People, whose relationship to the land and waters of the Saanich Peninsula has existed since time immemorial and continues today.<\/p>\n

For thousands of years, this area was shaped by a Garry oak meadow ecosystem that supported grasslands, woodlands, and wildflower fields, including camas meadows that bloom each spring. This landscape remains deeply connected to the cultural, environmental, and spiritual traditions of the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 People.<\/p>\n

Victoria International Airport works in partnership with the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations to support a respectful, long-term relationship grounded in recognition of Indigenous rights, stewardship of the land, and shared interest in the airport as a regional economic generator, and future partnerships tied to its operations a.<\/p>\n

This relationship is guided by the Friendship Agreement between the Victoria Airport Authority and the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations, which provides a formal framework for collaboration, governance, and engagement. Through this Agreement, the airport is committed to advancing reconciliation in practical and meaningful ways, consistent with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission\u2019s Call to Action #92.<\/p>\n

Friendship Agreement with the <\/strong>W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Four W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations \u2014 BO\u1e30E\u0106EN (Pauquachin), W\u0331JO\u023dE\u023dP (Tsartlip), S\u023e\u00c1UTW\u0331 (Tsawout), and W\u0331S\u00cd,\u1e34EM (Tseycum) \u2014 and the Victoria Airport Authority (VAA), operator of Victoria International Airport (YYJ), entered into a 15-year Friendship Agreement on February 4, 2026. The Agreement establishes a long-term, collaborative relationship grounded in respect (\u00c1TOL), cooperation (\u0106\u023aINEUEL), and partnership (HIWESTEL).<\/p>\n

Developed through several years of dialogue and relationship-building, the Friendship Agreement provides a practical framework for how VAA and the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations will work together on airport operations, future development, and shared priorities over time. It represents an incremental but meaningful step toward reconciliation that is forward-looking, operationally focused, and grounded in mutual respect.<\/p>\n

What the Friendship Agreement Supports<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Friendship Agreement establishes formal structures and processes to guide collaboration between the Victoria Airport Authority and the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations, including:<\/p>\n

Governance and Collaboration<\/strong>
\nClear governance tables and engagement processes to support ongoing communication, consultation and coordination related to airport operations and future development.<\/p>\n

Culture, Heritage, and Placemaking<\/strong>
\nProtection of cultural and archaeological values, cultural awareness training, and expanded visibility of W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 culture, artwork, and SEN\u0106O\u0166EN language across airport facilities and lands.<\/p>\n

Employment, Training, and Business Opportunities<\/strong>
\nSupport for employment, training, education, and business opportunities for W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 members, including strengthened Indigenous procurement practices at YYJ.<\/p>\n

Environmental Stewardship<\/strong>
\nCollaboration on environmental stewardship initiatives that integrate W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 Traditional Knowledge into environmental planning, restoration, and sustainability efforts.<\/p>\n

Long-Term Economic Participation<\/strong>
\nEconomic contributions linked to airport revenue that support W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 community priorities over the life of the Agreement.<\/p>\n

BACKGROUNDER<\/a>
\nRELEASE<\/a><\/p>\n

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