Tsartlip First Nation

Tsartlip
Band No. 653
W̱JOȽEȽP

People	W̱SÁNEĆ
Treaty	Douglas Treaties
Headquarters	Brentwood Bay
Province	British Columbia
Land[1]
Main reserve	South Saanich 1
Other reserve(s)	Goldstream 13 Mayne Island 6 Seaus Island 10
Land area	3.3 km^2
Population (2024)[1]
On reserve	540
On other land	121
Off reserve	407
Total population	1068
Government[1]
Chief	Don Tom
Website
tsartlip.com

The Tsartlip First Nation is a First Nation located on the Saanich Peninsula, in Saanich territory on Vancouver Island. They are a member of the Sencot'en Alliance fighting for Native rights.^[2] In the 1850s, they were signatories to one of the Douglas Treaties.^[3]

The band's reserve and offices are located near and to the north of the town of Brentwood Bay.^[4]

Past Chiefs

Position	Name	Term Start	Term End	Reference
Chief	Don Tom	12/08/2021	12/07/2025	[5]
Chief	Ivan Morris	12/08/2011	12/07/2013
Chief	Wayne Morris	12/07/2007	12/06/2009

Treaty Process

Not participating in BC Treaty Process.^[2]

Demographics

As of December 2024, Tsartlip has 1,068 registered members, 540 of whom live on reserve, with 528 living off reserve or on other crown land.^[6]

Notable Tsartlip

• Adam Olsen, BC MLA for Saanich North and the Islands
• Jean Baptiste Paul, also known as Chief Thunderbird, 20th-century wrestler

References

1. "First Nation Detail". Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
2. "Alliance maps out at-risk treaty lands". CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc. June 22, 2006. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
3. "Douglas Treaties: 1850-1854". Executive Council of British Columbia. 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
4. Band website
5. "Tsartlip". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
6. "Tsartlip". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2009.