National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today, we pause to honour Survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. We acknowledge their strength, dignity, and resilience, and we remember the children who never came home.

Victoria Airport Authority operates on the homeland of the W̱SÁNEĆ People, whose relationship to this land continues to this day. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with the BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), SȾAUTW̱ (Tsawout), and W̱SÍ,ḴEM (Tseycum) First Nations through meaningful partnerships and ongoing collaboration. These Nations have stewarded and maintained deep cultural, spiritual, and environmental connections to this land since time immemorial.

Today – and every day – is a time of reflection, listening, and learning as we continue on the path toward reconciliation.

We are honoured to credit the late Charles W. Elliott, Coast Salish Master Carver, for the artwork in this image. This spindle whorl is titled ‘New Beginnings’.