The Songhees First Nation has an ally in the City of Victoria as it enters into land-claims negotiations with the province for three sites in the city, including a pair of high-profile parking lots with a combined value of nearly $50 million.
On Friday, the city cemented its support for the First Nation with a formal letter supporting the Songhees in negotiations with the province and indicating it was behind the nation in its quest to acquire the three parcels.
Saying it was a step toward rebuilding the city’s relationship with the Songhees, Chief Ron Sam said he appreciated support in the mission to negotiate a return of traditional lands.
“And for their unwavering commitment to working government-to-government with our leadership over the years,” he said. “It is a truly historic day, and we look forward to continuing our respectful and valuable relationship to benefit all families who live in Victoria and the surrounding area.”
The land parcels the Songhees want are 613 Pandora Ave, an address they were given by the province nine years ago, and province-owned parking lots at 1112 Wharf St. and 430 Menzies St.
Both parking lots are high-profile and well-used locations.
The lot at 1112 Wharf St. was most recently assessed at $23.4 million, while the Menzies lot, across from the legislature and bordered by Kingston and Superior streets, was most recently assessed at $25.9 million.
In the letter, Mayor Lisa Helps said the city looks forward to developing a framework for a working relationship and servicing arrangements between the two governments in anticipation of the sites becoming treaty settlement lands.
“We view this collaboration as an important aspect of the reconciliation process,” she wrote.
In a statement, Helps added that the city has a “strong and deep relationship with Chief Sam and his council that we value very much.”
“It is this relationship that can lead to meaningful reconciliation between the city and the Songhees Nation to the benefit of their members and our residents.”
Land returned to the Songhees in 2013 included 613 Pandora Ave., formerly home to the Provincial Capital Commission, as well as 1310 Esquimalt Rd. and three small lots totalling 0.10 hectares in James Bay.
The nation leased the space at 1310 Esquimalt Rd. to Red Barn Market, while renovating and re-leasing 613 Pandora Ave.
