Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation

Sidney is located within the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ People who have been on the land since time immemorial and continue to have a vibrant presence today.

W̱SÁNEĆ Nations include Tsartlip, Pauquachin, Tseycum, Tsawout, and Malahat.

The Town of Sidney is committed to working toward strengthening relationships and dialogue with W̱SÁNEĆ Nations.

Memorandum of Understanding

In 2026, the Town of Sidney took an important step forward in reconciliation by signing a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tsartlip First Nation and Tseycum First Nation.

Facilitated by the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, the agreement establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration on shared priorities, such as environmental stewardship, economic development, public art, and the protection of ancestral sites.

The agreement implements a key commitment in Sidney’s Official Community Plan (2022) to establish MOUs with W̱SÁNEĆ Nations and strengthen government-to-government relationships. Through regular meetings and annual work plans, the partners will work together to advance shared initiatives. The Town will provide updates on collaborative projects as this work progresses.

The MOU will be reviewed every two years to ensure the agreement continues to meet the needs of all parties and reflect evolving priorities.

The District of Central Saanich signed a similar Memorandum of Understanding in July with Tsartlip First Nation and Tseycum First Nation, strengthening regional partnerships across the Peninsula.

The Town remains committed to working toward reconciliation with W̱SÁNEĆ Nations that do not have MOUs with the municipality as well.

Recent Initiatives:

Below are examples of initiatives undertaken in recent years to support reconciliation.

Official Community Plan Engagement

During the development of Sidney’s Official Community Plan (approved in 2022) , elected officials and staff from Sidney, North Saanich, and Central Saanich participated in meetings with representatives of the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council to ensure Indigenous perspectives, priorities, and local knowledge informed the planning process. Feedback received through these discussions helped shape policies related to reconciliation, cultural heritage, and environmental stewardship.

Infrastructure and Cultural Heritage Protection

The Town works closely with local First Nations when undertaking underground infrastructure projects in areas with known cultural or archaeological significance. In addition to engaging archaeologists, the Town works with local Nations to incorporate cultural monitors and collaborative planning processes that help ensure projects are carried out in a respectful and culturally informed manner. A recent example is the watermain replacement project along Lochside Drive, which began in 2024.

Construction sign and digger on Lochside Drive

Support for Indigenous Cultural Celebrations

The Town provides annual financial support for Indigenous cultural celebrations in the region, including the Honouring Wətanmy Powwow in Central Saanich and the South Island Powwow in Victoria. These contributions help support opportunities for cultural sharing, education, and celebration of Indigenous traditions.

Sidney Museum Interpretive Signage Project

Through funding provided to the Sidney Museum, the Town has supported the development of 13 new interpretive signs along Sidney’s waterfront. Three of these new signs were prepared in collaboration with the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council to interpret traditional W̱SÁNEĆ stories. The W̱SÁNEĆ School Board also provided SENĆOŦEN language and traditional knowledge vetting for each of the 13 signs to ensure that the Sidney Museum accurately represented W̱SÁNEĆ culture and worldviews.

Downtown Banners

In 2022, the Town collaborated with W̱SÁNEĆ artist Sarah Jim to create seasonal downtown banners featuring original artwork and the SENĆOŦEN place name SETINES, helping increase public visibility of Indigenous language and culture within the community. The initiative contributed to ongoing efforts to recognize the area’s W̱SÁNEĆ history and living cultural presence.

Restoration of the WSÁNEĆ Welcome Figure with Eagle

In 2025, the Town worked with W̱SÁNEĆ artists Perry LaFortune and Tom LaFortune to restore and re-envision the WSÁNEĆ Welcome Figure with Eagle located in Beacon Park.

Cultural Awareness Training

In 2024, members of Sidney Council and Town staff from all departments took part in cultural awareness training to support respectful engagement with local Nations and build a more culturally aware workplace.

Resources:

Those interested in learning more about W̱SÁNEĆ culture and ways to respectfully acknowledge and work alongside local Nations can find a range of resources available through the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council.