General Information:
Two reserves on 67.2 hectares at the southern end of Vancouver Island.

History:
Name derived from the Sook tribe of Straits Salishans. The derivation of "sooke" is from the native name of the Stickleback fish that inhabits the Sooke Basin. It was earlier spelled "Soke" and pronounced "soak". Very early exposure to Europeans due to the association with the Hudson's Bay Company. Reserves allotted by the Joint Reserve Commission in 1877.

Economic Activities:
On reserve, leaders in renewable energy
Off reserve, in forest-related areas, as well as commercial fishing.

Facilities Available On Reserve:
75 kW solar energy plant
Community hall, cultural centre, park, band office, cemetery.

Chief: Gordon Planes
"It's good to be a part of using the gifts that the creator gave us in helping us to take care of Mother Earth. It is now appropriate that First Nations take the lead in demonstrating how to live without fossil fuels once again"
Councilor: Jacques Planes
Councilor: Colleen George

Administrator: Acting Administrator Michelle Thut
Telephone: 250-642-3957
Fax: 250-642-7808
Email: administrator@tsoukenation.com

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 4:30

Band Office Address:
2154 Lazzar Rd
P.O. Box 307
Sooke, BC
V9Z 1G1

Band Office Address:
2154 Lazzar Rd.
Sooke, BC

Chief: Gordon Planes
Councilor: Jacques Planes
Councilor: Colleen George
Administration Office: Michelle Thut / Sandra Sprinkling

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 – 4:30

Cigarette Sales: Monday – Friday 10:00 – 4:00

Regional Office of: Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Band Membership Clerks: Michelle Thut & Sandra Sprinkling

• Recording events which effect the Indian Register and the Band List such as registration, marriage, births etc.
• Obtaining documents to verify these events
• Reporting these events to the regional office to update the Indian Register
• Processing certificates of Indian Status
• Notifying the regional office of any administrative changes in names, addresses and telephone numbers at the band level

Click on small image for map:

Click on small image for map

Mailing Address:
Box 307
Sooke B.C.
V9Z 1G1

Tel: (250) 642-3957
Fax: (250) 642-7808

First Nations have lived for thousands of years on this continent without fossil fuels.
It is appropriate that First Nations lead the way out of dependency and addiction to fossil fuels and to rely on the power of the elements, the sun, the wind and the sea once again.
Chief Gordon planes.

BC Legislative Assembly acknowledges T’Sou-ke Nation pioneering work in becoming one of the most intensive solar community in Canada.

Listen to Lee-Ann Unger talking with representatives of the T’Sou-ke First Nations Solar Project on Kootenay Co-op Radio.

B.C. Hydro meters on the T’Sou-ke Nation reserve were whizzing around counter-clockwise yesterday as, nearby, the sun beat down on banks of solar panels.

The backward-spinning meters mean clean, surplus power is being returned to the electrical grid, helping to pay for the band’s solar-power project…

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Congratulations to the T’Sou-ke First Nation for showing leadership in installing solar panels instead of relying on transmission lines for all their power (July 18).

Perhaps it is time we took some bold steps to encourage more local Island renewable energy production. With solar, wind and tidal power, we will likely have more power than we need for Vancouver Island to be self-sufficient in energy…

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It’s a good day for a celebration. Sunshine sparkles on the water of the Sooke Basin, the sky is clear and a fresh wind makes the heat bearable.

Outside the T’Sou-ke Nation band hall, tables are set up for a BBQ salmon lunch. Kids run around, blowing soap bubbles and women set up craft tables in the shade…

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Further to a front page Sooke News Mirror story from June 10, a two-day forum on solar energy was kicked off Friday morning in the Edward Milne Community School Theatre.

Last month’s news story focused on the completed installation of hundreds of solar panels on T’Sou-ke First Nation property. The T’Sou-ke Nation leads the way in the province in terms of the size of their facility, which required about $650,000 along with the expertise of a good number of personnel…

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A native community on Vancouver Island has become the largest solar energy producing community in B.C.

The T’Sou-ke First Nation has unveiled its solar power project that will see solar energy power the band office, fisheries building, canoe shed and 25 homes on the reserve. Nine band members have also been certified as solar panel installers…

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Minister George Abbott learns from UVic co-op student Jessica Bekker how clean energy is benefiting T’Sou-ke Nation during the T’Sou-ke Solar Gathering.

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