On October 2, 2024, Songhees Nation Council and City of Colwood Council celebrated the signing of a Relationship Agreement between the two communities.
The agreement is intended to help the communities’ leadership and staff implement productive and supportive connections and working processes with a view on the future.
Songhees, a member of the Te’mexw Treaty Association, is in the advanced stages of negotiating a treaty in the BC Treaty Process. If the Songhees community ultimately votes to approve its treaty, it is expected that Songhees will hold treaty lands at Hatley Park, which is surrounded by 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. “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 Relationship Agreement represents a commitment to ongoing collaboration supported by each Council's 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. "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 Relationship Agreement will provide a framework for establishing ongoing communication between the two Councils through regular meetings to discuss matters of mutual interest. Staff are working to arrange initial meetings.
For more information about the Songhees treaty process, visit https://temexw.org
