MISSION STATEMENT
The five Te'mexw Member First Nations initially joined together with one common objective to support one another and combine forces to work together under one organization to negotiate a treaty under the British Columbia Treaty Process.
Songhees (Lekwungen), Nanoose (Snaw-naw-as), Beecher Bay (Scia'new), T'Sou-ke, and Malahat all share common history, culture and experiences with federal and provincial governments. Each of these member first nations is descendants of the original signatories of the Douglas Treaties on the mid-nineteenth century. James Douglas signed fourteen treaties on Vancouver Island during this period. These Douglas treaties encompass approximately 358 square miles of land around Victoria, Saanich, Sooke, Nanaimo and Port Hardy. These treaties were never honoured or recognized by both the federal and provincial governments.
Our objective to negotiate a treaty that is acceptable to each of our individual Nations that will sustain us well into the future for our children and great grandchildren and the many generations to come.
About Wilson Bob, Chief Negotiator
Wilson Bob has committed his life to the treaty process since the early 1960s , he has associated himself with organizations such as: South Island Allied tribes, South Island tribal federation, Confederation of the B.C . Indians, union of BC chiefs, first Nations Congress and the first Nations Summit
From the age of 18, when he assisted his father, Wilson Bob Sr. in his work as a hereditary chief of the Nanoose First Nation, Wilson Bob has been deeply involved in the struggle for aboriginal rights.
Message from Chief Negotiator, Wilson Bob
As chief of negotiations Wilson's main concern is to advance Te'mexw into treaty negotiations, and finally settle all outstanding land and self-government issues.
According to Wilson , Bob, "The most important part of the whole process is to be sure that you have the solid support of your communities, as it is they who will have to live with the final result and enforced the treaty once it is in place."