Thank you for visiting our online home for all information regarding the Olive Street Common – a preserved green space located in the Fairfield neighbourhood of Victoria, BC, Canada, on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen peoples.

Olive Street Common possesses a unique and rich history, both ecologically and heritage-wise. It was not always a treasured neighbourhood space, nor was it always safe from development.

On this site you will find a timeline of the common’s history, beginning with its ecological history and land use by First Nations, through to colonial times and neighbourhood involvement, including how the neighbourhood banded together to save the common from property development.

Olive Street Common // Photo credit: Peter Ronald

Territory Acknowledgment

Fairfield Gonzales Community Association Territory Acknowledgement

Our neighbourhood of Fairfield Gonzales is located on the traditional, unceded (never surrendered) territories of the Lkwungen (Songhees) peoples. Recognizing the violence of this colonialism is a first step toward healing individuals & communities and is a critical part of demonstrating respect for the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia, the traditional stewards of this land. Our Centre acknowledges this is a current, active state requiring thought, respect and participation, rather than a token note of past history. By living here, working here and using the resources of this place we all participate in this experience. Rather than claim to have the answers needed to create a harmonious, sustainable, healthy community, we prefer to challenge ourselves with questions:

  • What are the obligations to the people who first inhabited this land?
  • How do settlers on this land figure out what their responsibilities are?
  • How can we be good guests here?
  • How can we support existing local struggles?
  • And how can we support indigenous self determination in the longer term?

This kind of dialogue around inclusion, representation, participation, respect and action are vital for all communities to thrive.

Olive Street Common Territorial Acknowledgement

The Olive Street Common and surrounding neighbourhoods—indeed all of Fairfield and Greater Victoria—is located on the traditional, unceded territories of the Lekwungen peoples. We recognize the communities and elders of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and offer respect to their ancestors, who were here long before colonial settlement. We live, work and play in this place acknowledging these ancient homelands.