Songhees Nation

Through song and dance, Friday’s (Sept. 30) South Island Powwow at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park memorializes the past and future of First Nations and Metis people. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: South Island Powwow in Victoria celebrates Indigenous culture, resiliency

Survivors, families recognized in spirit of reconciliation

 

Greater Victoria is invited to the first-ever South Island Powwow on Sept. 30, which among other things is set to feature inter-tribal dancers and singers. Pictured is an Indigenous dancer performing at the Change-Makers Gathering Festival in June at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

Powwow set to mark second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Victoria

Organized by the Songhees Nation, all are welcome to attend the free event

 

Chief Ron Sam said Songhees Nation is proud to launch the Aboriginal Head Start program, which will benefit the community’s children and families. (Black Press Media file photo)

New early childhood learning program coming to Songhees Nation

The free program will allow families to kick-start their children’s education

 

Songhees Chief Ronald Sam (from left), BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley and Esquimalt Chief Robert Thomas sign papers transferring 4.5 acres of land in Rock Bay to Matullia Holdings LP, which represents both the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations, in a ceremony held Tuesday (July 26) at the site. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Songhees, Esquimalt nations receive Rock Bay land from BC Hydro

Transfer signals turning point for reconciliation and climate change: Hydro CEO

Songhees Chief Ronald Sam (from left), BC Hydro CEO Chris O’Riley and Esquimalt Chief Robert Thomas sign papers transferring 4.5 acres of land in Rock Bay to Matullia Holdings LP, which represents both the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations, in a ceremony held Tuesday (July 26) at the site. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
A ceremony featuring Lekwungen and Esquimalt Nation dancers unveiled the expanded Songhees Park in Victoria on July 25. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)

Newly expanded Songhees Park celebrates Lekwungen culture

Art, nature, accessible pathways, seating, gathering space included in park project

A ceremony featuring Lekwungen and Esquimalt Nation dancers unveiled the expanded Songhees Park in Victoria on July 25. (Courtesy of the City of Victoria)
An Indigenous dancer performs at Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day ceremony on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation regional event in works for Victoria

Royal Athletic Park freed up as a venue for the South Island gathering

An Indigenous dancer performs at Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day ceremony on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in 2021. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
West Shore RCMP Const. Cole Brewer worked with Joseph Seward of the Songhees Nation to develop a new uniform patch which identifies officers as police in both English and Lekwungen. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)

New West Shore RCMP uniform patch features Lekwungen translation

Identification patch a result of collaboration with Songhees Nation Language Department

West Shore RCMP Const. Cole Brewer worked with Joseph Seward of the Songhees Nation to develop a new uniform patch which identifies officers as police in both English and Lekwungen. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)
Premier John Horgan speaks alongside Songhees First Nation Chief Ron Sam (left) at a meeting between Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders at the Songhees Wellness Centre on July 11. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Indigenous leaders and Canada’s premiers meet in Greater Victoria

Enshrining UNDRIP, health-care funding transfers, consultation highlight day 1 talks

Premier John Horgan speaks alongside Songhees First Nation Chief Ron Sam (left) at a meeting between Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders at the Songhees Wellness Centre on July 11. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
June 21, 2022 - A traditional canoe arrives in the Inner Harbour to signal the start of National Indigenous Day celebrations in downtown Victoria. Don Denton photo

Canoe protocol to start Victoria’s Canada Day events

Mayor and other officials will ask to come ashore to honour Lekwungen peoples

June 21, 2022 - A traditional canoe arrives in the Inner Harbour to signal the start of National Indigenous Day celebrations in downtown Victoria. Don Denton photo
Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and the Town of View Royal came together Saturday May 28, 2022 to unveil a new totem pole carved by Tom LaFortune of Tsawout First Nation. The totem will be a permanent fixture outside the Town of View Royal Public Safety Building. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Totem pole unveiling brings View Royal, First Nations closer together

Tom LaFortune carved the totem for the town and Songhees and Esquimalt Nations

Songhees and Esquimalt Nations and the Town of View Royal came together Saturday May 28, 2022 to unveil a new totem pole carved by Tom LaFortune of Tsawout First Nation. The totem will be a permanent fixture outside the Town of View Royal Public Safety Building. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Victoria councillors approved a motion Thursday (March 24) that calls for forms to be mailed with tax notices that enable property owners to make a voluntary donation to local First Nations, as an act of reconciliation. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria approves voluntary reconciliation payment program for property owners

Owners will have option to donate to local First Nations alongside tax payment

Victoria councillors approved a motion Thursday (March 24) that calls for forms to be mailed with tax notices that enable property owners to make a voluntary donation to local First Nations, as an act of reconciliation. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The Sitchanalth/Willows Shared Knowledge Project is a shared approach to developing a vision for this stretch of land and foreshore in Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Songhees, Oak Bay embark on shared knowledge project for popular beach

Sitchanalth/Willows, a known historic village site, remains popular with visitors today

The Sitchanalth/Willows Shared Knowledge Project is a shared approach to developing a vision for this stretch of land and foreshore in Oak Bay. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps speaks during a March 11 ceremony where the city celebrated formally supporting the Songhees Nation’s treaty negotiations with B.C. and Canada. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Victoria supports Songhees Nation treaty negotiations with B.C., feds

Land claim agreement would return three parcels within city to First Nation

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps speaks during a March 11 ceremony where the city celebrated formally supporting the Songhees Nation’s treaty negotiations with B.C. and Canada. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria trustees’ suspensions result of disparaging Twitter comments, board chair says

Some details of decision revealed in public letter, following community concern

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have been censured by the board and suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Songhees Wellness Centre, meeting place for the First Nation’s administrative and governing bodies. The Songhees recently appointed Katherine Lagrange as their new executive director. (Courtesy of Songhees First Nation)

Songhees First Nation opens new year with new executive director

Chief Ron Sam sees Songhees First Nation well positioned for ongoing success in 2022

The Songhees Wellness Centre, meeting place for the First Nation’s administrative and governing bodies. The Songhees recently appointed Katherine Lagrange as their new executive director. (Courtesy of Songhees First Nation)
Camas flowers in full bloom. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Garry oaks, camas reveal agricultural impacts of colonialism on Vancouver Island

Lekwungen food expert Cheryl Bryce looks to raise awareness of traditional food systems

  • Sep 25, 2021
Camas flowers in full bloom. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The Songhees Food Truck is only one of numerous innovations the Nation has launched in the last decade. (Facebook/Songhees Event and Catering)

Songhees Nation continues road of innovation, healing, success

Nation launched two cannabis stores so far this year, another expected

The Songhees Food Truck is only one of numerous innovations the Nation has launched in the last decade. (Facebook/Songhees Event and Catering)
The interior of the Songhees Nation’s new Seed & Stone cannabis location at 901 Gordon St. (Photo by Jay Wallace)

Songhees Nation co-owned cannabis store opens in downtown Victoria

First Nation plans to take educational approach to cannabis retailing

The interior of the Songhees Nation’s new Seed & Stone cannabis location at 901 Gordon St. (Photo by Jay Wallace)
Vancouver Island First Nations and others gathered near Victoria’s harbour and on the lawn of the legislature to honour the 215 children who never came home from a Kamloops residential school. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Island First Nations canoe, drum, sing in Victoria to honour 215 residential school children

Memorial takes place in Victoria harbour and on B.C. legislature lawn

Vancouver Island First Nations and others gathered near Victoria’s harbour and on the lawn of the legislature to honour the 215 children who never came home from a Kamloops residential school. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Chris Grzywacz, development agent for cannabis supplier Seed and Stone’s, holds products from the new Songhees Cannabis S + S store on April 20. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)

First cannabis store opens on Songhees Nation, creates economic opportunity says chief

The Songhees Cannabis S + S had a soft launch at its 1502 Admirals Road location on April 20

Chris Grzywacz, development agent for cannabis supplier Seed and Stone’s, holds products from the new Songhees Cannabis S + S store on April 20. (Jake Romphf/ News Staff)