The Sc’ianew (Chenuh) First Nations’ main community is on Beecher Bay in East Sooke, 30 km southwest of Victoria (capitol city of British Columbia). The predominant language is now Hul’q‘umi’num’.

In the SENĆOŦEN language, the word T'Sou-ke is the name of the Stickleback fish that live in the estuary of the river. The two T'Sou-ke reserves are on 67 hectares (165 acres) around the Sooke Basin on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The total registered T'Sou-ke population was 251 as of February 2013.

The Songhees Nation is now located in Esquimalt on Vancouver Island, 5 kilometers from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. Historically, the original site of the Songhees Indian Reservation was located in Victoria's Inner Harbour. The main village sites were at the British Columbia Legislature and James Bay, and across the harbour on the Victoria west side.

The Esquimalt Nation is a small nation with approximately 150 members living on reserve and another 100 living off reserve. Today, the Nation's reserve lands are located at the southwestern edge of the City of Victoria, bordering the Songhees Nation reserve, and the Town of View Royal.

The Tsawout First Nation is one of five bands that constitute the Saanich Nation. The village (“reserve”) can be accessed via Highway 17 - Pat Bay Highway. We have a population of 1600 people living in Tsawout (year 2006 est.) with approximately 1/3 of the population being registered band members, and others being residents who are leasing lands from landowners.

Tsartlip is part of the Saanich First Nation with territory centred on the Saanich Peninsula and southern Gulf Islands. Most Tsartlip members live on the South Saanich 1 reserve in Brentwood Bay, BC. The Tsawout First Nation has 766 members.

The Malahat Nation is focused on economic development and is dedicated to building meaningful relationships with their business partners. The nation is well served with road and marine infrastructure with the Island highway, Brentwood ferry, a pier at Bamberton and a boat launch. The nation is also across the Saanich Inlet from Victoria airport.

The Nation currently has businesses operating in forestry, mining, construction and tourism and support establishing businesses in any area that supports their strategic vision. Much of the future economic development will centre around land development as the Malahat have 200 acres of currently developable land and 2,000 acres in total. The nation has a land code and can complete zoning and permitting as quickly as 30 days.

In 2022 the Malahat First Nation welcomed Thales Group with a ground-breaking ceremony as one of the first tenants in their 55 acre industrial park. Malahat is also undertaking a feasibility study for development of a film studio in partnership with Cowichan Valley Regional District. There are investment opportunities at the industrial park, and the film studio.

The Pauquachin First Nation is a First Nations government with 3 reserves near Saanich. They are a member of the Sencot'en Alliance fighting for Native rights. In the 1850s they were signatories to the Douglas Treaties. The Pauquachin First Nation has 373 members.

Tseycum (Union Bay Indian Reserve No.4) is one of the four Saanich villages of Southern Vancouver Island, we are at the centre of Patricia Bay on the Saanich Peninsula. In the Sencoten langauge Tseycum is spelled Wsikem and means Land of Clay.

With over 4,400+ members, we are the largest single First Nation Band in British Columbia. About half of our members live on the Reserve. We have seven traditional villages. Our total reserve area is currently 2400 hectares (~5900 acres) made up of nine Reserves.

The Halalt First Nation is a First Nations government located at Chemainus in southeastern Vancouver Island. The historical territory of the Halalt people is the lower Chemainus River valley and Willy Island, which is offshore from today's town of Chemainus. The Halalt First Nation is a member government of the Naut'sa Mawt Tribal Council, and affiliated with the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group.

The Penelakut Tribe accounts for about 13 percent of the Hul’qumi’num population. Historically, Penelakut villages were found on Penelakut Island, Galiano Island, and on Vancouver Island near the mouth of the Chemainus River. Today, the Penelakut have reserves on Penelakut Island, Tent Island, Galiano Island, and one small reserve on the lower reaches of the Chemainus River.

Lyackson Mustimuhw are a Central Coast Salish Hul’q’umi’num community of 200 members presently based in Chemainus, Vancouver Island. Valdes Island is our ancestral territory and we currently manage three land reserves which comprise a third of Valdes Island, where we continue to engage traditional land-use practices on a seasonal basis.

The Stz’uminus First Nation is interested in developing partnerships for economic development. Through the Coast Salish Economic Development Corporation (CSEDC) the Stz’unimus nation has partnerships in hotels, residential development and LNG. The nation is acquiring land through the reconciliation process and the economic development strategy is built around land development looking for highest and best use strategies. 

Going forward the CSEDC intends to participate in the development of their lands and the businesses that operate on them. They are looking for projects that make business sense and are consistent with the cultural values of the nation in maintaining a sustainable environment. Stz’unimus First Nation is working in partnership with the Town of Ladysmith to plan development of the lands and the harbour.

The Lake Cowichan First Nation government and reserve is located in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia. The Lake Cowichan First Nation, while its own distinct group, is closely linked to the peoples of the Cowichan Tribes band government, and is part of the Hul'qumi'num linguistic group. There are over 15 registered tribal members.

Snuneymuxw First Nation is one of the largest First Nations by population in the province. We are one of the few First Nations in BC that has a pre-confederation treaty with the Crown. These facts are key aspects of our strength and opportunity. Snuneymuxw currently has four reserves on the shores of Nanaimo Harbour and Nanaimo River and two reserves at Gabriola Island.

The Snaw Naw As nation has several operating businesses in retail, hospitality, aquaculture, forestry and land development. The nation has an economic development corporation, the Nanoose Economic Development Corporation, that is responsible for economic development planning and operation for the nation. 

In the near term the NEDC is looking to a major redevelopment of the campground to upgrade the buildings and infrastructure. The nation is also looking to undertake a redevelopment of the waterfront to improve the marine interface for commercial use for aquaculture. The nation currently has leases for clams and is looking to add leases for oysters and possibly seaweed and geoduck.

In the medium term NEDC is looking at land development both on and off reserve. Projects include a fulfilment centre and other light industrial on site at Fairdowne Road and a residential project at Lantzville. The Snaw Naw As have a land code which facilitates easy zoning and permitting.

The Qualicum First Nation is a First Nations government located near Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. The Qualicum First Nation has 106 members. A Qualicum first nations camp-ground opens every summer and closes every fall on part of the ocean-front property.

The K’ómoks First Nation (KFN) is located in the Comox Valley on the east coast of Vancouver Island. We are the care takers of the "Land of Plenty" since time immemorial, and as a community we continue to protect our lands, water, forests and air as they ensure our Aboriginal Rights and Title. KFN has 315 members. Many of our members and numerous non-members live on the KFN Indian Reserve #1. The remaining members reside in various locations across North America.

The Pacheedaht First Nation is a First Nations band government based on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Although the Pacheedaht people are Nuu-chah-nulth-aht by culture and language, they are not a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. The government has 4 reserve lands for a total of approximately 180 hectares: Pacheena #1, Gordon River #2, Cullite #3, Queesidaquah #4.

Nitinat or Ditidaht is a First Nation Community located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Ditidaht or the “people along the way/coast” is situated at the end of a large tidal lake called Nitinat Lake which is approximately 23 km (14 miles) long.

The Huu-ay-aht envision a strong, self-governing and self-reliant Nation. Iisaak will guide us as we work together to foster a safe, healthy and sustainable community; where our culture, language, spirituality and economy flourish for all. As a leader among First Nations, the Huu-ay-aht First Nations will create certainty for its community, generate wealth for financial independence, provide economic opportunities, deliver social, cultural and recreational programs for all Huu-ay-aht.

The Toquaht are the people of Toquaht Bay, Mayne Bay and western Barkley Sound, and are one of the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations who have lived along Vancouver Island’s west coast for over 10,000 years. About 20 people live in the Toquaht Nation’s main community of Macoah, which is accessible off Highway 4 along Kennedy Lake. The rest of the citizens live in Ucluelet, Port Alberni and other cities in the Northwest. The Nation has 143 citizens in total.

“Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ is our ḥaaḥuułi and our ḥaaḥuupa is the thread that connects the generations to sustain a happy, healthy, strong community.”
Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ's main village is located at Hitacu (Hit-tat-soo), across the bay from the town of Ucluelet (You-clue-let). The Nation’s territory is located at the northern gateway to Barkley Sound with open access to the Pacific Ocean.

Uchucklesaht Tribe has 262 Uchucklesaht enrollees/citizens, 10 living in the village and 252 living away from the village. The Uchucklesaht Tribe has two villages that are situated approximately 24 miles down the Barkley Sound, southwest from Port Alberni.

We are located in Port Alberni, BC and consist of approximately 300 members and 5 reserves. The two main reserves, Ahahswinis and Kleekoot are home to about half of our population.

The Tseshaht First Nation is a vibrant community on the West Coast of Vancouver Island in Port Alberni, British Columbia, with an active and progressive natural resources-based economy. We are proud of our culture and work as a community to preserve our traditional values and the teachings. Tseshaht translates as “the people of Ts’ishaa,” a place on what is known today as Benson Island, one of the Broken Group Islands in Barkley Sound. Tseshaht are one of the 14 Nations that make up the Nuu-chah-nulth [Nootka] people of western Vancouver Island.

The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations are a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation in Canada. They live on ten reserves along the Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. They are part of the Nootka Confederacy and governed by the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. There were 618 people living in the Tla-o-qui-aht reserves in 1995.

The Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS) and Ahous Business Corporation (ABC) were incorporated by the Ahousaht First Nation in 2012 to retain control over economic development in Ahousaht territories. The Society has an economic development plan and two staff supporting its implementation. The MHSS is interested in the following areas of business development:

• Renewable energy
• Aquaculture
• Eco tourism
• Commercial retail services
• Transportation
• Project Management

While the Nation has the capacity to take on multiple projects, they are interested in partnerships as this increases their capacity and allows capital to be deployed in more projects. Projects undertaken need to fit in the Ahousaht cultural values and balance ecological integrity and the social and economic well being of the Ahousaht people.

The Nation has several projects with opportunity for investment including a sable fish farm, a smokehouse and packing facility that uses traditional methods related to the existing seaweed business. In forestry the Nation would like to develop a mill using fibre from the Barkley Community Forest. In tourism there are opportunities to develop a destination wellness centre/resort along with whale watching and access to a hot springs.

Hesquiaht is the most northerly and remote of the five Central Region Nuu-chah-nulth Nations. Two of eight Hesquiaht Reserves are occupied by Hesquiaht members, one at Hot Springs Cove and the other at Hesquiaht Harbour. Hot Springs Cove is named after the natural hot springs located at the south end of a narrow peninsula on the east side of the cove.

Yuquot means "where the winds blow from many directions," which enabled 13 tribes to gather during the summer harvest season as one large confederacy of strength, commerce and hospitality. This rich culture continues today with the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations opening up the Yuquot Historic Village site for the entire world to come and experience their history and culture. Yuquot village has been designated as a National Historic Site.

We are the Nuchatlaht people. Our territory are the lands and waters around the northern portion of Nootka Island and the adjacent inlets on the west coast of Vancouver Island. We have been here since time immemorial. We speak Nuu-chah-nulth, a language we share with 14 other Nuuchah-nulth First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Ehattesaht is one of the 14 Nuu-Chah-Nulth Nations. We are a comparatively small tribe (despite owning 66,000 hectares) with huge culture and history held within our Hereditary Chiefs and Elders. With 442 registered members, located in the Zeballos inlet on the North West Coast of Vancouver Island. Ehattesaht is accessible by helicopter, boat or plane and by logging road which connects due North of the Island off of Highway #19.

The K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) is responsible for implementing the economic development plan of the Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw nation. As a result of Covid the economic development plan is under revision. The main role of the KEDC is to optimize the economic development plan to realize revenue and prosperity for the community. As part of that role the KEDC is tasked with creating businesses that are sustainable and sensitive tot eh cultural values of the nation.

The KEDC has eight businesses in moving transportation, cold storage, construction, tourism (campground and hotels), consulting services and forestry. Within consulting services the KEDC provides services in finance, project management and HR policy and recruitment.

Going forward the nation is looking to leverage its position in aboriginal rights and title and will be resource driven. The corporation will look how this can intersect with traditional businesses and help to create partnerships with other First Nations. Currently the KEDC is looking at the possibility of expanding into energy transportation and has a $50 million waterfront development project.

The Homalco First Nation is a First Nations government located in Bute Inlet near the upper Sunshine Coast. The Homalco are also known, with their neighbours the Sliammon and Klahoose and the K'omoks of nearby parts of Vancouver Island, as the Mainland Comox. Their ancestral tongue is the Comox language. The Homalco First Nation is a member government of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council.

Kwiakah First Nation are Lekwala speaking peoples. The Kwiakah are identified as part of the Laich-Kwil-Tach. The Laich-Kwil-Tach are the southernmost speakers of this northern Wakashan language. At present only 20 members are registered as Kwiakah First Nations.

The Mamalilikulla-Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em First Nation is a First Nations band government focused in the Queen Charlotte Strait region. It is a member of the Kwakiutl District Council. Its home territory was situated in Knights Inlet mainly on Village Island.
Harold Sewid - Hereditary Clan Chief

The Tlowitsis Nation territories span the coastal area of Northern Vancouver Island, from ancient history until the early 1960s. They occupied several village sites scattered across islands along Johnson Straight. Seasonal travel routes, food processing spots, burial and cultural sites and other named places extended across the entire territory. Qalagwis, now known as Turner Island, was their primary winter residence.

The most recent census data reports that the We Wai Kai Nation population is approximately 1022 members, of which an estimated 500 live off-reserve. The We Wai Kai Nation's reserve lands cover 684.74 hectares (1692.27 acres). The We Wai Kai Nation had 5 designated reserve lands.

“Our culture, history and current success in business provide the foundations for our future generations. We are the Wewaikum Nation.” The Campbell River Indian Band is an integral part of the social fabric of Campbell River, participating in community functions and including the community in traditional First Nations celebrations.

The Da'naxda'xw First Nation is an amalgamation of the Da'naxda'xw and Awaetlala tribes of Knight Inlet. The main village of the Da'naxda'xw, Tsatsisnukwomi, is where you will find our administration office.

The beautiful place that we call home spans from Wakeman Sound to the pristine waters between Gilford Island and Village Island where the territory of the Mamalilikala begins. Within our ancestral territory we enjoy an abundance of natural resources and spectacular scenery. Our connection to our lands and resources defines who we are as people. As stewards of our territory and its resources, we embrace growth and development, but diligently work to move forward on the basis of sustainability.

Under the Indian Act and Royal Commission ,Heghums became a Reserve Allotment in 1916. Heghums has been the main village and winter site for Gwawaneuk, and is the main Gwawaneuk village today. Gwawaenuk Governance follows a traditional Hereditary Head Chief Governance Structure. Chief Charlie Williams is the Hereditary Chief of Gwawaenuk.

Understand our origins and the connections we have to our land through the creation story of our river, Gwa'ni. We have a proud past, and our traditions continue. We were, we are, and we will always be, the 'Namgis. We invite you to learn, enjoy and share who we are. Gilakas'la.

We, the Quatsino First Nation, proud descendants of the Gusgimukw who were placed on these lands by the Creator, have persevered throughout time by valuing our traditions and people and by continually exercising our inherent right to the lands and resources of our traditional territory.

We are the people of the Wuikinuxv Nation. Traditionally we were one of the largest nations on the West Coast. The Wuikinuxv Traditional territory has a long and rich cultural history. The Hamatsa dance society originated in Wuikinuxv and spread across the coast through marriage.

The Kwakiutl Nation is currently in Stage 4 with the BC Treaty Commission. The Kwakiutl has approximately 569 members, with their traditional territory generally bounded to the north by Nigei Island, to the west by Tyllai Creek, to the south by the Kilpala River, and to the east at Trinity Bay.

We are the descendants of the Tlatlasikwala, Nakumgilisala and Yutlinuk peoples. Our Territory covers the lands and waters of northern Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. Our home village is at beautiful Bull Harbour on Hope Island. 

North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society (NVIATS) is a community-driven organization helping Aboriginal people achieve self-sufficiency by delivering high quality training and employment opportunities in the North Vancouver Island Region. We assist Aboriginal people in preparing for, acquiring, and maintaining successful long-term employment by providing demand-driven education, training, and employment opportunities.

We, the Klahoose people, are the original caretakers of the land. We live by our values which are based on our culture, tradition, unity, and equality. Our solid economy is built on holistic practice and respect for ourselves, our territory and the environment. Social well-being, good health and education are essential for a safe, prosperous community. Through our vision, the Klahoose community ensures a future for our children and the generations that follow.

We are the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h' (pronounced Kie-YOU-cut and TSHEH-kleh-szet) First Nations. Our home is on the Pacific west coast of Vancouver Island. Our territory stretches from Porritt Creek, north of Nootka Sound, to Solander Island at the tip of Brooks Peninsula; inland to the height of land and seaward to the point where you can no longer see land while standing in a canoe. Our two Nations came together in the early 1960s. Together, we are the northern most of 14 Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations occupying approximately 300 acres of Vancouver Island’s Pacific coast.