Step into the heart of Victoria with Songhees Tours’ Mətuliyéʔ walking tour. Discover the Indigenous stories behind the city through 7 Signs that reveal the Lək̓ʷəŋən Nation’s enduring connection to this land.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels given moderate walking on paved urban terrain.
Wildlife
History
The Lək̓ʷəŋən Nation’s territory includes present-day Victoria, and their culture spans thousands of years of stewardship before urban development.
Conservation
Songhees Tours emphasizes respect for land and culture, promoting sustainable tourism that supports Indigenous-led preservation and education efforts.
Songhees Tours Inc.
Step into the heart of Victoria with Songhees Tours’ Mətuliyéʔ walking tour. Discover the Indigenous stories behind the city through 7 Signs that reveal the Lək̓ʷəŋən Nation’s enduring connection to this land.
Songhees Tours Inc. is a Victoria, British Columbia company offering cultural and guided outdoor experiences focused on the lək̓ʷəŋən homeland.
Its program lineup includes the Pəlat̓ᶱəs Canoe Tour, where participants paddle in replica traditional canoes, learn water protocols and paddle techniques, and hear stories, teachings, and songs passed down through generations. The Xʷsəyq̓əm Tour – Place of Mud explores significant cultural sites across lək̓ʷəŋən territory and presents history, traditions, and language associated with the communities now recognized as the Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations. The Mətuliyéʔ (Victoria) Walking Tour guides visitors through downtown Victoria to examine land, resistance, identity, ceremony, and the Seven Signs that shape local Indigenous heritage.
These experiences emphasize cultural continuity and place-based learning, using movement on water and walking routes to connect visitors with Indigenous stories and teachings. Songhees Tours Inc. operates from Victoria and centers lək̓ʷəŋən perspectives in its trip narratives. Attention to traditional protocols, the use of replica canoes on the Pəlat̓ᶱəs Tour, and the focus on language and ceremony in the Xʷsəyq̓əm and Mətuliyéʔ tours provide specific, tangible ways guests engage with history and culture. As a locally based operator, Songhees Tours Inc. offers direct access to Indigenous knowledge in the region and a concrete way to learn about the living heritage of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples.
Featured by The Adventure Collective, Songhees Tours Inc. is highlighted for providing immersive, place-based cultural experiences that connect visitors directly with historical narratives and living practices. These tours offer respectful access to knowledge rooted in the lək̓ʷəŋən homelands.
Traditional Canoes
Replica Canoes
Pəlat̓ᶱəs canoe experience on water
Tours Offered
3 Tours
Land and water cultural routes
Community Focus
lək̓ʷəŋən
Centered on Songhees and Xwsepsum Nations
Location
Victoria, BC
Downtown and coastal experiences
Book a spot on the Pəlat̓ᶱəs canoe tour, Xʷsəyq̓əm Place of Mud tour, or Mətuliyéʔ walking tour today.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
The tour covers city streets and requires steady footing for about 1.5 hours.
Bring a water bottle
Stay hydrated as the tour moves through urban spaces without guaranteed water stops.
Arrive early to the meeting point
The tour starts punctually at the Canada sign near Inner Harbour in Victoria.
Prepare for all weather
Victoria’s coastal climate can shift; layers and weather-appropriate gear ensure comfort.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supports your feet during 1.5 hours of city walking on varied pavement.
Layered clothing
Adjust for changing temperatures and possible rain showers in spring.
spring
Light rain jacket
Provides quick protection against rain and wind during fall visits.
fall
Reusable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated during warmer weather and busy city strolls.
summer