In anticipation of the Songhees Nation Council agreeing to hold treaty lands at Hatley Park, a new 'Relationship Agreement' has been signed with the City of Colwood.
“This is all part of the work of getting ready for a potential future where Songhees and Colwood have neighbouring lands,” said Songhees Chief Ron Sam in a news release. “We’re looking forward to starting this great work now and know that this will support our communities regardless of what happens with treaty."
The two councils celebrated the new agreement at a ceremony held on Oct. 2.
According to the two councils, the Relationship Agreement will provide a framework for establishing ongoing communication between the two councils through regular meetings to discuss matters of mutual interest.
The agreement also represents a commitment from the two councils to an ongoing collaboration supported by their shared principles of transparency, trust, reconciliation, problem solving, mutual respect, cooperation and patience.
"I'm extremely grateful for this opportunity for the City of Colwood to work in greater collaboration with Songhees Nation Chief and council," said Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi in the news release. "There is a great sense of optimism about bringing our communities together for ongoing, open dialogue that will allow us to accomplish great things together."
The Hatley Park and Royal Roads Lands are part of the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking people, and lie within Colwood’s municipal boundary, but are owned by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND).
In 2017, DND advised they no longer had an operational need for the property and entered into discussions with Songhees and other First Nations about the future of the land through the Te’mexw Treaty Negotiations.
For more information about the Songhees treaty process, visit temexw.org.
