Four W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations \u2014 \u00a0BO\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), operators of Victoria International Airport (YYJ), have entered into a new Friendship Agreement that establishes a long-term, collaborative relationship based on respect (\u00c1TOL), cooperation (\u0106\u023aINEUEL), and partnership (HIWESTEL).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Agreement reflects the long-standing relationship between the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 people and the lands within which Victoria International Airport is situated. It recognizes a shared commitment to reconciliation and to building a constructive, long-term partnership. The Agreement acknowledges the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 Nations\u2019 Aboriginal and Treaty rights affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and underscores the importance of respectful relationships and ongoing dialogue between the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 Nations and the Victoria Airport Authority. Recognizing YYJ\u2019s role as a key regional transportation hub and economic driver, the Agreement represents an incremental but significant step toward a renewed relationship guided by Indigenous rights and a strong commitment to collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn behalf of our four W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 Chiefs, we see this Friendship Agreement as an important step toward restoring our relationship to our territory,\u201d says W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 leadership. \u201cThe lands where the airport now stands have always been an important part of our homeland, and our responsibilities to this place continue. This Agreement creates space for our people to benefit from opportunities on our own lands and ensures that our voices are included in decisions that affect our territory and future generations.\u201d
Developed over several years of dialogue and relationship-building, the Friendship Agreement sets out a framework to guide how the\u00a0W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106\u00a0Nations and VAA will work together on matters related to airport operations, future development, and shared interests. It is forward-looking in nature and\u00a0establishes\u00a0processes through which greater clarity and operational detail will be advanced collaboratively over\u00a0time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the Agreement, VAA will make annual economic contributions to the signatories based on airport revenues. These contributions include new, dedicated funding for education training, scholarships, and internships to increase employment for W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 members at the airport, as well as support for new business opportunities. The Agreement also addresses a range of shared focus areas, including communication and engagement, culture and placemaking, and environmental stewardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis Friendship Agreement reflects the leadership and commitment shown by the\u00a0W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106\u00a0Nations and by our organization. It provides a practical framework for how we will work together as YYJ continues to evolve. We are proud of the progress made to date and look forward to building on this partnership in the years ahead,\u201d\u00a0says Elizabeth Brown, President and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Friendship Agreement was formally signed on February 4, 2026, at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, British Columbia, with leadership from all four W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 First Nations and representatives of the Victoria Airport Authority in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About\u00a0the W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106\u00a0Nations<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106 people have lived on the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands, and surrounding waters since time immemorial. W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106, meaning \u201cthe emerging people,\u201d reflects a worldview grounded in stewardship, sustainability, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The 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 continue to uphold their cultural traditions, exercise their rights, and work toward the well-being of their communities and future generations.
About Victoria International Airport (YYJ)<\/strong>\u00a0
Victoria International Airport (YYJ) is Vancouver Island\u2019s gateway to the world, connecting\u00a0more than\u00a01.9 million passengers annually to key domestic and seasonal international destinations. Operated by\u00a0the\u00a0Victoria Airport Authority, a not-for-profit, non-share capital organization, YYJ plays a vital role in regional connectivity and economic growth. The Victoria Airport Authority operates the airport under a long-term ground lease with Transport Canada. YYJ is located within the homeland of the\u00a0W\u0331S\u00c1NE\u0106\u00a0people whose historical relationship to the land continues to this day.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n