Songhees Nation has approximately 600 members, half of which reside on Songhees Reserve #1A. This reserve is 60 hectares of fully developed residential and commercial land located adjacent to the Township of Esquimalt and the Town of View Royal.
Our Families
The Songhees community is comprised of five main families and several smaller families descended from the Lək̓ʷəŋən speaking signatories of the Douglas Treaties in 1850. Traditional governance is by consensus among extended family heads, guided by their families. Today, the community is still guided by consensus among families represented by advisory committees, focus groups and an elected Chief and Council. Referendums and ratification votes are held for important Community decisions.
Our Residents
There are over 1500 tenants residing on Songhees Reserve 1A, in an apartment complex, townhouses, manufactured homes and mobile homes. Many tenants have lived in the community for decades, with the first mobile home parks opening in the early 1960’s.
The lək̓ʷəŋən People - "This is the community we serve"
Songhees Nation members are Lək̓ʷəŋən People identified as Coast Salish. Songhees has a population of just over 600 with approximately 300 members residing on Songhees Reserve #1A, a 60 hectare reserve located adjacent to the Township of Esquimalt and the Town of View Royal, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, within the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
Mission
Songhees Nation strives to achieve community vision through good governance, delivering programs and pursuing projects and initiatives for the benefit of the Songhees People
Vision
A healthy, self-reliant, progressive community that honours tradition and culture and invests in future generations
Values
With One Heart and One Mind, we commit to help one another, to forgive one another and to love one another with respect, honesty and courage