McKenna McBride Commission – Songhees Reserve Relocation – Vancouver Island Land Conflicts
Victoria is on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen, Wyomlith and W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations. Languages spoken here include SENĆOŦEN, Malchosen, Lkwungen, Semiahmoo and T’Sou-ke.
The question of land title is as old as the province of British Columbia itself, whe the province joined Confedereation in 1871. Unlike other Provinces and Territories much of BC was settled without the signing of treaties, with the exception of the Douglas Treaties on Vancouver Island and the No. 8 Treaty in the Okanagan. Therefore the issue of authority over provincial land for the remainder of the territory here in BC was left unresolved. [1]
In spite of colonial authorities mandate to recognize Indigenous title under the Royal Proclamation of 1763, consent was not obtained from Indigenous community governments. Shortly after the Vancouver Island Colony was established in 1849, reserves were formed in the 1850s and 1860s. [1] See http://www.bctreaty.net for more information
Since then, Provincial and Dominion governments have been at odds over Indigenous land and title. As a result, the Joint Reserves Commission (1876) was initiated, its commissioners were charged with the responsibility of allocating land reserves to Indigenous groups.
Native-Land.ca: Check out this website to see what traditional territory your home resides on, what languages are traditionally spoken there, and if any treaties currently exist for the land.
