T’Sou-ke First Nation Chief Gordon Planes is pictured signing an Incremental Treaty Agreement on Tuesday. Feb. 26 at the BC Legislature. The agreement will provide economic opportunity as well as jobs in the Sooke region. The T’Sou-ke Nation will receive two 60-hectare land parcels at Broom Hill within their traditional territory in the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area.
“I sign this Incremental Treaty Agreement on behalf of the T’Sou-ke citizens — of whom I have the honour of representing,” said Planes. “This transfer of land is an indication of the incredible determination and commitment the T’Sou-ke citizens have in our quest to regain our rightful place in society while protecting our territories and resources.”
The T’Sou-ke Nation is currently in the final stages of the agreement in principle stage of the B.C. treaty process, which is the fourth of a six-stage process.
Chief Russell Chipps signed an incremental agreement for the Scia-new (Beecher Bay) Band. The band will receive a land parcel of 67 hectares in the shared territories of the Scia-new and T’Sou-ke in the District of Sooke.
The lands will be transferred in fee simple and will be subject to provincial and federal, as well as being subject to local government zoning anf taxation.
Both the T’Sou-ke and Scia-new Nations are party to the historic Douglas Treaty that was signed between 1850 and 1854.