Hilltop should be returned to First Nations: councillor

The top of Victoria’s Beacon Hill should be given back to First Nations and a traditional longhouse built there to replace the decaying Checkers Pavilion, says Coun. Marianne Alto.

Chiefs of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations are supporting the city councillor’s idea. Alto said “a confluence of circumstances” has provided the city with an opportunity to fulfil a commitment to act on recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which investigated abuse of First Nations children at residential schools.

Mayor Lisa Helps and Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe are supporting Alto’s motion, which goes to council this week.

It recommends the city return the top of Beacon Hill to the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations, and that the Checkers Pavilion be removed and replaced with a longhouse, which would be used for First Nations cultural and educational activities.

The remaining $32,000 in the city’s strategic priorities fund should be used to remove the pavilion and to expedite the longhouse proposal.

Alto said the city has already set aside the slope to the southeast of the hilltop — traditional lands of the Lekwungen people — for reburial of First Nations remains uncovered during public works excavations.

Songhees Chief Ron Sam called the longhouse proposal “a bold demonstration” of the city’s commitment to reconciliation.

But Roy Fletcher, chairman of Friends of Beacon Hill Park, says removal of Checkers Pavilion would be fine, but the site is not appropriate for a longhouse.

His group prefers a small lookout with interpretive signs, including ones focusing on First Nations.