Are you curious to know which Nations are in your region? Check out the interactive maps of First Nations in BC to learn more!
Vancouver Island
There are three main Indigenous Groups to Vancouver Island which each are made up of many different Nations who have distinct languages and cultures. As you can see on the map, the approximate territories for each group is in a different colour, with each red dot representing a different Nation.
- Coast Salish
- Nuu-chah-nulth
- Kwakwaka’wakw
Victoria
Victoria is situated on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, of which many Nations are a part. Below, we will list the local Indigenous Peoples to Victoria specifically, as well as for each school district in Victoria.
Lekwungen or Lək̓ʷəŋən
The Songhees and Esquimalt Nations are part of the Lekwugen speaking peoples. The Songhees and Esquimalt Nations are part of the Coast Salish Peoples (this can be seen on the maps above).
WSÁNEĆ
The Tsartlip, Tsawout, Pauquachin, Tseycum, and Malahat are 5 Nations that constitute the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation. These Nations are part of the SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples who also belong to the Coast Salish Peoples (this can be seen on the maps above).
3 More Local Nations
The T’Sou-ke, Sc’ianew, and Pacheedaht are 3 more Nations close to Victoria. The T’Sou-ke and Sc’ianew Nations are part of the Coast Salish Peoples and the Pacheedaht Nation is part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples (this can be seen on the maps above).
Local School Districts in the lower Vancouver Island region.
Keep in mind that if you are teaching, you may have students commuting from other territories!
SD61-The Greater Victoria School District
Territory Acknowledgement: The Greater Victoria School District wishes to recognize and acknowledge the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, on whose traditional territories, we live, we learn, and we do our work.
Full acknowledgment poster can be found HERE.
SD62-Sooke School District
Territory Acknowledgement: Sooke School District acknowledges the traditional territories of the Coast Salish: T’Sou-ke Nation and Scia’new Nation and Nuu-chah-nulth: Pacheedaht Nation. We also recognize some of our schools reside on the traditional territory of Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation.
SD63-Saanich School District
Territory Acknowledgement: We acknowledge and thank the W̱SÁNEĆ people on whose traditional territory we live, learn, and teach. The W̱SÁNEĆ people have lived and worked on this land since time immemorial.