Advancing Equity in Land Access in the District of Saanich

Land access issues for Black and Indigenous people in British Columbia (BC) have been deeply rooted in historical injustices, colonization, and systemic barriers.

This community-led project examined how policy affects equitable land access in the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples (the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations) and the W̲SÁNEĆ peoples (the W̲JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̲ (Tsawout), W̲SIḴEM (Tseycum), and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations) - the District of Saanich, BC.

The project analyzed existing land access policies in light of other factors such as race, gender, and socio-economic status. These factors were key to the policy recommendations based on the experiences of community members who faced challenges in seeking equitable land access in the District of Saanich.

These challenges disproportionately affect these communities, limiting their ability to assert sovereignty, maintain cultural practices, and exercise control over their traditional lands. The following is an overview of the key land access issues faced by Black and Indigenous people in BC.

Food systems are part and influenced by a complex social, political, economic, and environmental contexts, and everyone has to eat. However, the reality is that our immigrant and IBPOC communities are struggling to eat locally, nutrient-dense food and culturally-significant foods.

Written by Nancy Nyandika, Edited by Ariel Reyes Antuan