Songhees First Nation

What Songhees First Nation does

Songhees First Nation (also known as Songhees Nation of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People) is a self-governing First Nation located on a 60-hectare reserve adjacent to Esquimalt and View Royal on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The Nation serves approximately 600 registered members (with around 300 residing on Songhees Reserve #1A and over 1,500 on-reserve tenants across housing types) through a comprehensive suite of community programs delivered primarily via the 55,000 sq.ft LEED Silver-certified Songhees Wellness Centre, which houses governance, health, education, child and family services, employment and social development, lands and environment, and recreation functions. Core service lines include an Early Learning Centre with the Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve program, K-12 and post-secondary education support, clinical healthcare (nurse practitioners, midwives, acupuncture, foot care), and a dedicated Child, Family & Social Services Department. The Nation operates under a Land Code enacted in 2011 under the First Nations Land Management Act, holds full Financial Management System Certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board (March 30, 2018), and was the first in Canada to enact Property Tax, Financial Administration, and Taxpayer Representation Laws under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act.

The economic development arm is Songhees Development Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Songhees Nation Investment Corporation (off-reserve property in Victoria, Esquimalt, and Langford acquired through the Incremental Treaty Agreement, plus Matullia Holdings LP's 7.5-acre industrially zoned Rock Bay property), Songhees Tours Inc. (cultural canoe tours with a kiosk at the Victoria Visitor Information Centre), Songhees Events & Catering (over 13,000 sq. ft. of event space including He'Was Hall for up to 600 guests), and Songhees Cannabis S+S at 1502 Admirals Road (with two additional Seed and Stone partnership locations pending). Joint ventures include Salish Seaside RV Haven (36 waterfront sites via the Xhamasung Holdings partnership with Esquimalt Nation), Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd. (marine dredging, pile driving, and construction founded 2012 with Ralmax Group), and the Skwin'ang'eth Se'las Development Company business incubator (with Esquimalt Nation and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority). The Indigenous Artist Causeway manages 38 exclusive vending permits along the downtown Inner Harbour lower causeway.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid mix: property leasing and development royalties (Matullia Holdings, Songhees Nation Investment Corporation), cannabis retail sales (Songhees Cannabis S+S; Seed and Stone partnership), food service and catering, cultural tourism and tour sales, RV park operations, marine industrial services, territorial welcome fees ($250–$500 per engagement), causeway artist permits ($250 per permit), and First Nations GST plus property taxation on reserve lands. The Nation is governed by an elected Chief and five Councillors serving four-year terms under the First Nations Elections Act, with Chief Ron Sam and the new Council sworn in on June 25, 2025. A Government-to-Government Protocol Agreement with the Capital Regional District was signed on November 6, 2025, and the Nation is pursuing modern treaty and self-government via the Te'mexw Treaty Association under the BC Treaty Commission process, targeting exit from the Indian Act by 2027.

Name

Songhees First Nation

Legal name

Songhees Nation

Website

https://songheesnation.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Songhees First Nation is a self-governing Lək̓ʷəŋən First Nation in Victoria, BC, serving approximately 600 members plus 1,500+ on-reserve tenants with health, education, social, housing, and cultural services, and operating a diversified economic development portfolio across property, cannabis retail, events, tourism, and marine services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Indigenous Government and Community Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Mobile Food Services (722330), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Personal Services (7200)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Indigenous community services
• First Nations governance
• Aboriginal economic development
• Cultural preservation programs
• Indigenous health and housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Victoria

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Property Leasing and Development: Songhees Nation Investment Corporation generates revenue through ownership, development and leasing of off-reserve properties in Victoria, Esquimalt and Langford acquired through Incremental Treaty Agreement. Matullia Holdings LP holds 7.5 acres of industrially zoned property at Rock Bay, partially leased to industrial tenants.
2. Events & Catering: Songhees Events & Catering operates over 13,000 sq. ft. of event space at the Songhees Wellness Centre, hosting board meetings, banquets, workshops, conventions, and offering off-site catering services with traditional Indigenous cuisine.
3. Food Truck Operations: Songhees Seafood & Steam food truck at 1502 Admirals Road offers traditional Indigenous cuisine with modern twist, including salmon bannock sandwiches and fresh local seafood to lower Vancouver Island customers.
4. Cannabis Retail: Songhees Nation operates Songhees Cannabis S+S at 1502 Admirals Road with majority ownership, and partnerships on Seed and Stone locations at Gordon Street and Fort Street. Three retail operations planned in total.
5. Tourism - Cultural Canoe Tours: Songhees Tours Inc. operates cultural canoe tours and tourism offerings with sales kiosk at Visitor Information Centre at 812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC.
6. RV Park Operations: Salish Seaside RV Haven on private peninsula in Victoria harbour is owned by Songhees & Esquimalt Nations through Xhamasung Holdings partnership. 36 waterfront sites with full amenities.
7. Marine Industrial Services: Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd. provides marine services including dredging, pile driving, construction, marine safety and support. Founded 2012 through partnership with Esquimalt Nation.
8. Property Taxation: Songhees Nation was first in Canada to enact Property Tax and Assessment Laws under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act. Revenue from First Nations Goods and Services Tax on reserve lands supports Nation operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Songhees Nation is a self-governing First Nation of the Lək̓ʷəŋən People delivering community programs and essential services—governance, education, healthcare, childcare, social services, housing, and cultural revitalization—through the Songhees Wellness Centre and dedicated departments. It also operates economic development ventures including cannabis retail, an event and catering venue, a food truck, an RV park, cultural tourism, marine industrial services, and off-reserve property leasing to generate community revenue.

Product overview

Songhees First Nation operates as a First Nations government providing comprehensive community services through a portfolio of programs and facilities. The core offering is the Songhees Wellness Centre, a 55,000 sq.ft LEED Silver-certified multi-purpose facility housing governance, health, education, and social services. The organization provides direct services including early learning/childcare (Early Learning Centre with Aboriginal Head Start), K-12 and post-secondary education support, clinical healthcare (nurse practitioners, midwives, acupuncture, foot care), and Child/Family/Social Services. Economic development is handled through Songhees Development Corporation and its subsidiaries including Songhees Tours Inc., Songhees Events & Catering, and the Salish Seaside RV Haven partnership. The Nation operates housing programs (Camas House rental units, Ned Williams rent-to-own homes) and retail operations (Songhees Cannabis S + S). Community engagement includes the annual South Island Powwow and the Indigenous Artist Causeway program. The Marine Department manages marine territory including Tl'ches islands with environmental monitoring and restoration initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Songhees Wellness Centre A 55,000 sq.ft LEED Silver multi-purpose facility that houses Songhees Nation's governance offices, health clinic, education services, child and family services, employment services, fitness studio, multi-sport court, industrial kitchen, Elders centre, and youth centre for Nation members.
• Early Learning Centre Free early childhood education program including Aboriginal Head Start On-Reserve for children aged 0-5, providing preschool programming, nutritious meals, and culturally grounded curriculum to Songhees families.
• Education Services

Quantifiable outcome

• First Property Tax and Assessment Laws in Canada under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major, support and minor.

• Capital Regional District (CRD)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 November 2025Government-to-Government Protocol Agreement signed November 6, 2025, establishing renewed relationship founded on mutual respect, collaboration, and shared prosperity. Collaboration areas include heritage conservation, shared services (water/wastewater), parks, land acquisition, environmental stewardship, Regional Growth Strategy, economic development, and employment/education.
• Vikram Sachdeva (Seed and Stone)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 April 2021Partnership with Vikram Sachdeva, owner-operator of Seed and Stone, for two cannabis retail locations in Victoria at Gordon Street and Fort Street. Songhees Nation has majority ownership; employees trained at Songhees Cannabis S+S staff the Seed and Stone locations.
• Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Marine industrial services company founded 2012 by Chief Andrew Thomas of Esquimalt Nation, late Chief Robert Sam of Songhees Nation, and Ian Maxwell of Ralmax Group of Companies. Provides dredging, pile driving, construction, marine safety and support services. Registered Aboriginal Business with Joint Venture Business of the Year award at 2014 BC Aboriginal Business Awards.
• Xhamasung Holdings (Songhees & Esquimalt Nations Partnership)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partnership between Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation to own and operate Salish Seaside RV Haven on private peninsula in Victoria waterfront harbour. Vision of former Songhees Chief Robert Sam and Esquimalt Chief Andy Thomas working with Transport Canada to purchase land in 2005.
• Skwin'ang'eth Se'las Development CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness incubator partnership between Songhees Nation, Esquimalt Nation, and Greater Victoria Harbour Authority for incubating First Nation business entities and building business development capacity.
• Aryze DevelopmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing development partnership for 1504 Admirals Road project (Camas House) - purpose-built rental development for Songhees community members.
• CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)majorOthersFederal housing funding partner for 1504 Admirals Road rapid housing initiative.
• BC HousingmajorOthersProvincial housing funding partner for 1504 Admirals Road rapid housing initiative.
• First Peoples Cultural CouncilsupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funding support for həlitxʷ tθə lək̓ʷəŋiʔnəŋ language revitalization program.
• Greater Victoria Harbour AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in multiple initiatives including Skwin'ang'eth Se'las Development Company, Indigenous Artist Causeway agreement for exclusive vending by First Nations artists, and Salish Seaside RV Haven collaboration.
• City of VictoriaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership for South Island Powwow at Royal Athletic Park, financial support, and 2022 reconciliation grant of $200,000 to Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
• University of Victoria School of Environmental SciencesupportTechnology or IntegrationAssisted with data collection and analysis for Marine Use Plan at Tl'ches (Chatham and Discovery Islands) in 2019, including underwater video with remotely operated vehicle.
• Roberts Bank Terminal TwominorOthersMarine partner engagement for monitoring and advocacy regarding shipping impacts on Salish Sea.
• Delta Port Expansion ProjectminorOthersEnvironmental assessment engagement for port expansion impacts on marine environment.
• Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (Marine shipping sub-committee)supportStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in IAMC-TMX marine shipping sub-committee for monitoring and engagement on marine transportation impacts.
• Greater Victoria School District #61coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Education Agreement partnership for Songhees students K-12, with Student Liaison and Facilitators providing tutoring and mentoring at Craigflower Elementary, Shoreline Middle School, and Esquimalt High.
• Coast Salish Employment and Training SocietysupportStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding source for Songhees Employment and Learning Centre offering upgrading, industry-specific training, and employment assistance.
• Te'mexw Treaty AssociationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBC Treaty Commission process membership along with T'sou-ke, Scia'new, Snaw-naw-AS and Malahat First Nations for negotiating modern treaty. After over twenty years, negotiations have reached final stage.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Squamish Nation: Major Coast Salish Nation in Metro Vancouver with a substantial diversified business enterprise spanning real estate development, hospitality, retail, and tourism. Comparable governance ambitions and treaty-driven economic development strategy.
• Tsleil-Waututh Nation: Coast Salish Nation on Metro Vancouver's North Shore with significant real estate, marine-services, and hospitality ventures (e.g., Cates Park). Closely parallels Songhees' marine-territory stewardship and waterfront economic-development strategy.
• Osoyoos Indian Band: Diversified Okanagan First Nation operating a portfolio spanning real estate, hospitality (Nk'Mip Resort), cannabis retail, vineyards, and cultural tourism. Demonstrates the integrated economic-development model Songhees is building through its Development Corporation.
• Musqueam Nation: Large urban Coast Salish First Nation in Metro Vancouver operating an extensive economic-development portfolio including real estate, golf, fishing, and marine ventures. Demonstrates the scale Songhees could target once its modern treaty and self-government transitions are complete.
• Westbank First Nation: Among Canada's most economically successful self-governing First Nations, with a large diversified enterprise portfolio spanning real estate, retail, hospitality, and tourism in the Okanagan. Comparable governance structure (self-government beyond the Indian Act) and broader business diversification than Songhees.

Direct peers

• T'Sou-ke Nation: Member of the Te'mexw Treaty Association alongside Songhees, pursuing the same modern-treaty process. Comparable in size and rural Vancouver Island geography, with parallel community-services, governance, and small-scale economic development activities.
• Malahat First Nation: Fifth member of the Te'mexw Treaty Association alongside Songhees. A small Vancouver Island First Nation pursuing the same modern treaty and operating a parallel portfolio of community services and member-owned businesses.
• Scia'new (Beecher Bay) First Nation: Te'mexw Treaty Association member negotiating the same modern treaty as Songhees. A small Coast Salish Nation on southern Vancouver Island with parallel community-services delivery and economic-development ambitions.
• Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation: Te'mexw Treaty Association co-negotiator with Songhees, focused on the same modern treaty process. Operates a comparable Vancouver Island community-services and governance structure.
• Esquimalt Nation: Neighboring Coast Salish First Nation on southern Vancouver Island and Songhees' primary joint venture partner in Salish Seaside RV Haven (Xhamasung Holdings), Salish Sea Industrial Services, and Skwin'ang'eth Se'las Development Company. Operates a similarly diversified community-services and economic-development portfolio in the same region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SongheesNation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/songhees-wellness-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/songheesnation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Songhees First Nation