Governance

Visions for a New Cemetery Space

Malahat Nation is at an important threshold regarding its cemetery services. The community’s current cemetery, located along the waterfront near the Mill Bay Ferry Terminal, is now at critical capacity, with only a few burial lots remaining. Malahat Nation has been working with LEES+Associates to assess site locations and create preliminary design options for the […]

People of the Ocean Decade: Andre Goldsmith and Desiree Bulger

Check out this article featuring Malahat member Andre Goldsmith and the Environment team’s stewardship work with the ghost gear program! This UN Ocean Decade endorsed project is working on mapping and retrieving ghost gear in the Salish Sea, and is currently funded under Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)’s Ghost Gear Fund. Please follow […]

22/23 Audited Financial Statements

Thank you to all the community members who attended the Council meeting on July 27, 2023. The 2022-23 Audited Financial Statements were reviewed and approved by Council, and are now published here. These statements, along with Council’s Annual Report, will be presented to the community at the AGM. We will provide more information about location and time as we get closer to the AGM date.

Boat Reservations

Please use the following form to request a boat ride, someone will reach out to you as soon as possible. There is an existing waitlist for Malahat boat trips and they will be contacted in the order that we receive these requests. Because of this first come- first serve system, we can not guarantee specific […]

Proposed 2023 Rates Law

Malahat Nation is proposing their own property taxation laws in order to raise funds to pay for the costs of providing government services such as garbage removal, septic and road maintenance. Member’s homes on Nation lands will not be taxed.

These laws are final drafts and have been informally reviewed but have not yet been approved by Malahat Chief & Council.

Proposed 2023 Expenditures Law

Malahat Nation is proposing their own property taxation laws in order to raise funds to pay for the costs of providing government services such as garbage removal, septic and road maintenance. Member’s homes on Nation lands will not be taxed.

These laws are final drafts and have been informally reviewed but have not yet been approved by Malahat Chief & Council.

Land Use Plan

The purpose of the Malahat Nation Land Use Plan is to clearly describe the community’s intentions for Nation Land (Malahat IR #11) in order to guide future planning, protection, and development
decisions.

Strategic Plan

This strategic plan represents a vision for our future development. It is based on community member and employee input and represents the goals we have set out to accomplish over the next five years. The plan is a roadmap for the future, an important tool that will guide us along our path to growth and improvement. It is not engraved in stone and, if required, may be adjusted, but it represents what we realistically hope to achieve in the coming years.

Environmental Management Plan

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a living document that outlines current environmental issues and land management goals for Malahat Nation to protect and manage our precious environmental and cultural resources while supporting sustainable growth and economic development. By recognizing our sacred relationship with the land and its resources, and involving the community in the planning process, we can ensure that our policies reflect the growth and priorities of our Nation into the future. With various engagement opportunities such as surveys and community events, and funding to create employment opportunities for members, we invite all members of Malahat Nation to get involved and be a part of this exciting journey towards a sustainable future.

Finance Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that a comprehensive planning process is established and
implemented to support the ongoing decision making of the Malahat Nation. This is to ensure
that the Malahat Nation has enough resources to deliver quality services to members at a reasonable cost and support it in achieving its goal.

Malahat Nation partners with Safer Ocean Systems to host Marine Courses at Malahat Nation

The Government of Canada started the Marine Safety Equipment and Training (MSET) Initiative in October 2020 to respond to concerns of Indigenous communities along the Trans Mountain Expansion Project marine shipping route. The program’s goal is to improve vessel safety and provide marine safety equipment and training to First Nation community members. Malahat Nation was […]

Introducing Environment Summer Interns

In July 2022, the Malahat Environment Department welcomed three summer interns to help study aquatic habitats! Steven Henry, Amanda Harry and Dylan Harry are helping with several projects in the Environment Department. They are learning about the many important species that live in the Salish Sea, restoring sensitive habitats in Malahat marine territory, clam garden […]

21/22 Audited Financial Statements

Thank you to all the community members who attended the Council meeting on July 28, 2022. The 2021-22 Audited Financial Statements were reviewed and approved by Council, and are now published here. These statements, along with Council’s Annual Report, will be presented to the community at the AGM. We will provide more information about location and time as we get closer to the AGM date.

Proposed 2022 Expenditures Law

Malahat Nation is proposing their own property taxation laws in order to raise funds to pay for the costs of providing government services such as garbage removal, septic and road maintenance. Member’s homes on Nation lands will not be taxed.

These laws are final drafts and have been informally reviewed but have not yet been approved by Malahat Chief & Council.

Proposed 2022 Rates Law

Malahat Nation is proposing their own property taxation laws in order to raise funds to pay for the costs of providing government services such as garbage removal, septic and road maintenance. Member’s homes on Nation lands will not be taxed.

These laws are final drafts and have been informally reviewed but have not yet been approved by Malahat Chief & Council.

Observing and Understanding Shows Us How Everything is Connected

Everything is connected. Whether the species is on land, or in the water. If it is living, and breathing…there are connections to be made within their ecosystem. You may be wondering how? But, like us! They need 4 key ingredients for a sustainable life; water, food, shelter resources, and air! With their needs now covered. We can acknowledge the diverse relationships between them, and other species.

Quiet Vessel Initiative

Loud noises in the ocean can affect underwater animals like whales. The Quiet Vessel Initiative is a Transport Canada program that will help to understand underwater sounds and make noise from boats quieter.

Malahat Skywalk Wins Award For Its Innovation

Malahat SkyWalk has welcomed over 150,000 visitors since opening July 15, 2021, exceeding all goals and estimations. Local support for the project has been strong from the start, with Indigenous and community partnerships and over 1,000 annual passes sold prior to opening alone.

Malahat Business Update – March 2022

Proper engagement is the first priority of the new economic development team. We will plan an Open House as soon as it is safe to do so with the current pandemic. At that time, we will prepare visuals and detailed project information for all members to review, and provide a space for members to provide […]

Malahat Business Park Secures Anchor Tenant

Yos Economic Development, the business management arm of the Malahat Nation, is excited to announce it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Alexzi Building Solutions, a Vancouver Island-based manufacturer of sustainable building materials, modernizing the construction industry. Alexzi will serve as the anchor tenant of the Malahat Business Innovation Park, a 55-acre development […]

What is Community Planning?

Community planning directs future community development by establishing long-term visions, goals, policies, and strategies for the community. Unlike day-to-day development planning activities which typically focus on current development proposals, community planning draws images of the future of the community and helps the community achieve social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Community planning can influence many perspectives […]

Planning for Medicinal Garden

’uy’ skweyul / Í SȻÁĆEL / good day.
The Lands department would like to share with the me’luxulh / MÁLEXEȽ community the ongoing Traditional plant garden project that has been in the works. The goal for this project is to give our community members an opportunity to educate themselves on plants that are in the surrounding area, or were historically in the area.

Josh Handysides receives Chamber of Commerce Award of Distinction

Congratulations Josh Handysides, Malahat CAO, for receiving the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Award of Distinction!

The Award of Distinction highlights a business person who has contributed to Greater Victoria through leadership and vision as a positive role model and a sustained commitment to a prosperous community.

“Josh has been the steady hand behind a number of projects that have been game changers for our region,” says John Wilson, Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors. “The Malahat Skywalk has been a boon for tourism, generating positive publicity on social media as a destination for visitors to Vancouver Island.”

Malahat Ghost Gear Program

Malahat Nation is pleased to announce our part in the DFO Ghost Gear program. “Ghost” fishing gear refers to abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing debris – a leading cause of harmful impacts on fish stocks and marine mammals around the world. Over the next 3 years, Malahat will use an ROV to map ghost gear accumulation and remove ghost fishing debris from the Salish Sea, improving ocean health for all who rely on its valuable resources.

What is Economic Development?

Economic Development is the creation of wealth that allows the Nation to support its members. This is created through economic development activities – starting and operating successful, profitable businesses. The more revenue a business earns, the more wealth the Nation will have, and the revenue earned will go into further economic activity, as well as […]

Council Updates Podcast #002 – Christmas Distribution, Health Fair, Goldstream Fishing Season

Greetings and welcome to episode #2 of the Council Updates Podcast! In this episode, we speak with Chief George Harry, Councillor Cindy Harry and Councillor Gordon Harry about the Christmas Distribution. Cindy announces the upcoming health fair, George tells us about the latest fishing season at Goldstream and his plans to start a hunting group! […]

Council Updates Podcast – First Episode, Introductions, Malahat Skywalk, Hunting & Fishing Groups

Greetings and welcome to the first episode of the Malahat Nation Chief and Council Podcast! In this episode, we speak with Chief George Harry and Councillor Cindy Harry about what they hope to acheive with this new podcast. We also cover topics covering Malahat Skywalk, Hunting & Fishing Groups, Mental Health and more! Listen to […]

The Economy Builders: Malahat Nation

The Me’ le’ xelh Mustimuhw (Malahat Nation) are building an impressive portfolio as they fulfill a community mandate of sustainable prosperity for their members.

Led by Chief George Harry, the Malahat Nation is a member government of the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council, and their ancestor tongue is the Hulquminum language. They reside on their traditional lands near Mill Bay, Goldstream and the Highlands, and recently signed an Incremental Treaty Agreement transferring the Shawnigan Lands back to their people.

20/21 Annual Report

The Annual Report is intended to communicate to our community the progress towards and achievement of strategic and operational goals set out in the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is an annual document comprised of a 5 year planning period, and outlines both the short- and long-term goals set by Malahat Nation based on the needs of the community.

Business Park Logo Contest

The Malahat Economic Development department is holding a logo contest! With the development of Malahat Innovation Park, many new Malahat businesses will be needing logos! We want to put out the call to all Indigenous artists who would like to try their hand at designing a logo. The first two logos needed are for the […]

Community Crab Distribution and Science Program

Some community members have had a visit from Dwayne Goldsmith and Stephanie Spencer. They have been delivering crab, fresh caught on the Pride of Malahat boat. Dwayne and Stephanie work for the Malahat Environment Department. They are helping to track crab in Saanich Inlet. A perk of this work is that they get to deliver […]

Solar System Monitoring

Malahat Nation’s solar system was completed in February 2020. It is a 50KW photovoltaic system consisting of 222 individual panels spread out across two buildings. Funding for this system was provided from the Government of BC as a part of their CleanBC initiative. A display monitor is programmed to present up-to-the-minute details on the systems […]

Comprehensive Community Plan

The Malahat Nation updated its Comprehensive Community Plan in 2021 with the goal of making it an overarching plan that guides all of our planning and decision-making on reserve for the decades to come. The Malahat Nation CCP is an overarching plan that guides our journey to self-government. This document takes a holistic look at […]

Environmental Review Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that projects that require the exercise of a power or performance of a duty or function by Malahat Nation Council are considered in a careful and precautionary manner to avoid significant adverse environmental effects on Malahat lands and resources.

20/21 Audited Financial Statements

Thank you to all the community members who attended the Council meeting on July 29, 2021. The 2020-21 Audited Financial Statements were reviewed and approved by Council, and are now published here. These statements, along with Council’s Annual Report, will be presented to the community at the AGM scheduled for September 30, 2021. We will provide more information about location and time as we get closer to the AGM date.

A Fish Known for Its Voice

What fish sings and grunts, is nocturnal, and has the face of a frog? It is the plainfin midshipman. They are a kind of toadfish. Sometimes called the ‘roaring bullhead’ for their loud vocalizations. They are usually the size of your hand, but grow up to 50 cm or 20 inches. Recently, at the boat […]

Land Code

The purpose of this Land Code is to set out the principles, rules and administrative structures that apply to Malahat Nation Lands and by which Malahat Nation shall exercise its authority over Malahat Nation Lands.

Proposed 2021 Rates Law

Malahat Nation is proposing their own property taxation laws in order to raise funds to pay for the costs of providing government services such as garbage removal, septic and road maintenance. Member’s homes on Nation lands will not be taxed.

These laws are final drafts and have been informally reviewed but have not yet been approved by Malahat Chief & Council.

Proposed 2021 Expenditure Law

Malahat Nation is proposing their own property taxation laws in order to raise funds to pay for the costs of providing government services such as garbage removal, septic and road maintenance. Member’s homes on Nation lands will not be taxed.

These laws are final drafts and have been informally reviewed but have not yet been approved by Malahat Chief & Council.

Housing Policy

Malahat Nation has developed and adopted this Housing Policy for the effective management of on-reserve housing. Implementing a comprehensive Housing Policy provides Council and the Housing Department with a framework to deliver the Housing Program to all Malahat Nation Members reliably and consistently. It also enables the Malahat Nation to align policy and program delivery across departments for effective use of limited resources and to ensure the maintenance of rental houses.

21-26 Strategic Plan

This strategic plan represents a vision for our future development. It is based on community member and employee input and represents the goals we have set out to accomplish over the next five years. The plan is a roadmap for the future, an important tool that will guide us along our path to growth and improvement. It is not engraved in stone and, if required, may be adjusted, but it represents what we realistically hope to achieve in the coming years.

About the Department

Malahat Nation’s Environment Department focuses on promoting stewardship and sustainable practices throughout the marine and terrestrial environment in the Nation’s traditional territory. The Environment Department works on a variety of projects and initiatives related to Fisheries, Sustainable Development, and Marine Stewardship. Fisheries The Environment Department manages commercial crab, salmon and red urchin fishing licenses, as […]

19/20 Audited Financial Statements

Malahat Nation’s Annual Consolidated Financial Statements are reviewed, approved, and audited before being presented before the community at the Annual General Meeting.

19/20 Annual Report

The Annual Report is intended to communicate to our community the progress towards and achievement of strategic and operational goals set out in the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is an annual document comprised of a 5 year planning period, and outlines both the short- and long-term goals set by Malahat Nation based on the needs of the community.