T’Sou-Ke

The T’Sou-ke First Nation is located 36 km west of Victoria, near the town of Sooke. In the Nation’s dialect, “T’Sou-ke” is the name of the Stickleback fish that lives in the estuary of the river. Contact with Europeans through the Hudson’s Bay Company saw the name changed first to “Soke” and then to “Sooke.” The anglicized version is now common and is used for many things including the name of the neighbouring town, the river and basin, and the main road.

The T’Sou-ke Nation’s traditional territory includes Spring Salmon Place – the river (Sooke River), Face Mountain, and Sacred Mountain, which are regarded as spiritual and sacred places for the T’Sou-ke people.

Number of Members

280 (as of March, 2020)