Te’mexw Treaty Negotiations
On this page…
- Te’mexw Treaty Negotiations
- Each Te’mexw Member Nation Treaty will
- Partner and public engagement
- About modern treaties
- About negotiations
Overview
Who: Government and the 5 Te’mexw Treaty Association Member Nations
What: Treaty negotiations
Where: Vancouver Island
Why: To advance reconciliation
How: In-person, online
Te’mexw Treaty Negotiations
Thank you to everyone who attended the in-person and virtual open houses in Spring of 2023. Here is the presentation from the virtual open house (PDF, 5MB).
From February to May 2023, the Te’mexw Treaty Association (TTA), B.C. and Canada engaged with local communities in the TTA territories on Southern Vancouver Island to raise awareness about treaty negotiations coming to a close. If you missed the opportunity to attend an open house but have a specific question that is not answered from the page content, please use the contact email listed on this page.
Make sure to sign-up for email updates to find out about future engagement opportunities and key milestones in treaty negotiations.
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Contact us: Temexw.Treaty@gov.bc.ca
TTA is negotiating modern treaties on behalf of its five Member Nations:
- Malahat
- Beecher Bay (SC’IA⁄NEW)
- Songhees
- Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose)
- T’Sou-ke
TTA, Canada and British Columbia have been in negotiations since 1995. Treaties are part of Canada and British Columbia’s work to advance reconciliation guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for treaty negotiations in British Columbia. Although the five First Nations are negotiating together, the negotiations will result in five separate treaties.
These negotiations are now in the final stage, Stage 5, of the BC Treaty Process. Read about the treaty process and different stages. Subject to further and ongoing consultation, negotiations are expected to conclude in 2024.
Learn more about TTA negotiations (PDF, 8MB).
Each Te’mexw Member Nation Treaty will
- Recognize the pre-existing rights of each Nation and set out the Nation, Canada and B.C.’s agreement about how those rights will be exercised
- Recognize and establish self-government and law making for each Nation
- Return specific lands to the five Nations to govern and manage
- Address important matters of language, culture and heritage, and
- Provide the basis for a revitalized relationship between the Nations and all levels of government.
This also means that the five First Nations will have ownership and jurisdiction over the lands transferred as part of the treaty – called treaty settlement lands – and can determine how best to use them, in accordance with their laws and applicable provincial and federal laws.
Each of the five Nations will have the right to self-govern and make laws concerning their treaty lands and citizens. For example, they may choose to make laws about health services, education and child and family services for their members.
The treaties will encourage investment, create jobs, expand economic development and support social well-being for Beecher Bay (SC’IA⁄NEW), Malahat, Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose), Songhees, and T’Sou-ke First Nations’ communities.
Sooke Mountain and Discovery Island Marine provincial parks are being considered for inclusion in treaties being negotiated with the T’Sou-ke and Songhees Nations. TTA and B.C. are committed to maintain public access and continued recreational opportunities in the parks, and are also committed to protecting their cultural, ecological and conservation values. These commitments will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the treaties.
Learn more about these parks that are being considered for inclusion in treaties.
Partner and public engagement
Engaging with local governments, people and businesses with interests in land to be transferred and the public is important for everyone at the treaty table. This engagement has been ongoing and will continue through this final stage of negotiations. Engagement helps to build awareness and understanding of the TTA Member Nations’ Treaties as a step towards reconciliation and supports long-term good neighbour relations. The treaty partners want to better understand public hopes and concerns and, in turn, help the public better understand the treaties.
About modern treaties
Modern treaties will create and clarify a new and equal relationship between the First Nations, Canada and B.C. based on mutual trust, respect and understanding. They will be protected under the Canadian Constitution and include a range of rights and obligations that all levels of government, including Treaty Nations, recognize and commit to. Treaties outline responsibilities and jurisdiction over treaty lands, including access, governance, financial benefits, taxation and environmental management including wildlife.
About negotiations
An Agreement-in-Principle (Stage 4) was signed in 2015, which identifies interests in lands and resources and includes a framework for self-government, financial arrangements and more. It forms the basis for the treaties. Read the Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) (PDF, 12MB).
Once negotiations are concluded, members of each First Nation will have an opportunity to vote on their treaty. The treaty also must be approved by B.C. and Canada before it comes into effect.
Find out more about the Te’mexw Treaty Nations:
- Te’mexw Treaty Association: We Are The Te’mexw Treaty Association – YouTube
- Te’mexw Treaty Association: www.temexw.org
- beecherbay.ca
- malahatnation.com
- snawnawas.org
- songheesnation.ca
- tsoukenation.com
Additional links:
- BC Treaty Commission
- B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- Te’mexw Treaty Association Agreement-in-Principle (AiP) – 2015
- Malahat Incremental Treaty Agreement – 2013
- Beecher Bay (SC’IA⁄NEW) Incremental Treaty Agreement – 2013
- Songhees Incremental Treaty Agreement – 2013
- Snaw-Naw-as (Nanoose) Incremental Treaty Agreement – 2013
- T’Sou-ke Nation Incremental Treaty Agreement – 2013
Contact us: Temexw.Treaty@gov.bc.ca