Songhees Nation of the lək̓wəŋən (pronounced lekwungen) people is located beside Esquimalt and View Royal on Vancouver Island, five kilometres from Victoria. They are the descendants of the lək̓wəŋən people, original inhabitants of the Greater Victoria region. The lək̓wəŋən people have hunted, fished and gathered here for thousands of years. This area, with its temperate climate, natural harbours and rich resources, was a trading centre for a diversity of First Peoples. When Captain James Douglas anchored off of Clover Point in 1842, he saw the result of the lək̓wəŋən peoples’ careful land management, such as controlled burning and food cultivation. These practices were part of the land and part of lək̓wəŋən culture.
Songhees is a Coast Salish Nation and the main language spoken historically was lək̓wəŋiʔnəŋ. Currently, Songhees Nation is also working on the lək̓wəŋiʔnəŋ Language Revitalization Program.
596 (as of March, 2020)