Squamish Nation facts for kids
A map showing traditional Squamish territory, totalling 6,732 km2 (2,599 sq mi)
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| People | Squamish people |
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| Province | British Columbia |
| Land | |
| Reserve(s) |
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| Land area | 21.19 km2 |
| Government | |
| Council |
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| Website | |
| Squamish Nation | |
The Squamish Nation, known as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw in their own language (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim), is a government that represents the Squamish people. The Squamish are Indigenous people who have lived in British Columbia, Canada, for a very long time. Their government was first set up by the Canadian government in the late 1800s.
Today, the Squamish Nation government has eight elected councillors. They serve for four years. There is also an elected band manager. Their main lands, called reserves, are located near the town of Squamish, British Columbia. Other reserves are found around the Capilano River, Mosquito Creek, and Seymour River in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
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How the Squamish Nation Began
The Squamish Nation was formed from several different villages. These villages became "reserves" under a Canadian law called the Indian Act. This law was created by the Canadian government in the late 1800s. Its goal was to control Indigenous people and their lands. The government wanted Indigenous people to adopt the ways of the settlers.
Forming a United Government
The Canadian government created a system where they chose "chiefs" for Indigenous groups. These chiefs were often chosen based on how much they cooperated with the government. After the Indian Act was passed, these chosen chiefs became part of the new government system.
The Squamish people were divided and placed onto many small reserves. Each reserve was originally owned by specific Squamish families. As the Canadian government took and divided land without fully asking the Squamish people, the separate villages decided to unite. This led to the formation of one Squamish Nation.
A New Agreement in 1923
On July 23, 1923, 16 chiefs signed an agreement to officially combine their villages. This agreement created the united Squamish Nation. Each chief who signed the agreement had a seat on the new council. For many years, the council was made up of hereditary chiefs. Later, this system changed to an elected council, with elections held every four years. The number 16 was important because of the original 16 signatures.
Today, the council has eight members. One of these members serves as the chairperson.
Modern Agreements and Growth
Before the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia, the Squamish Nation worked with the provincial government and the Lil'wat First Nation. They signed agreements about Squamish land being used for the Games. Now, the Squamish Nation's council often deals with land leases and businesses owned by the Nation.
The Squamish Nation recently bought a Tree Farm License. This covers the Elaho Valley near Squamish, British Columbia. This was a special event because it's rare for an Indigenous Nation to buy back land that was taken. This happened because no agreement was ever signed between the government and the Squamish during the colonization of the Lower Mainland.
The Squamish Nation has strong connections with the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, who live nearby. They also have family ties to the Musqueam in Vancouver.
Environmental Challenges
In 2005, the Squamish communities faced a serious problem. A train derailment by CN Rail caused about 40,000 litres of a chemical called caustic soda to spill into the Cheakamus River. This spill killed 500,000 fish. People in Squamish communities near the river were told not to drink water from local wells or eat local wildlife. The Squamish Nation is now taking legal action against CN Rail.
How the Squamish Nation is Governed
The Squamish Nation is led by elected councillors. These councillors form the main political group of the government. They serve for four years, with elections usually happening in December. They also elect a band manager. The most recent council was elected on September 26, 2021.
- Stewart "Sempúlyan" Gonzales
- Shayla "Sumkwaht" Jacobs (North Shore)
- Dustin "Khelsilem" Rivers (chairperson)
- Kristen "Tiyáltelut" Rivers (Regional)
- Ann "Syexwáliya" Whonnock
- Joyce Williams (Squamish Valley)
- Wilson "Sxwíxwtn" Williams
- Richard "Xwélxwelacha" Williams
The elected Band Manager is Bianca "Tsiyaliya" Cameron.
Squamish Nation Lands
Existing Reserves
Indian reserves are special lands managed by the Squamish Nation. Here is a list of their current reserves:
| Reserve | Squamish name | Location description | Area | Coordinates | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitsilano Indian Reserve No. 6 | Squamish: Sen̓áḵw | In the City of Vancouver, near English Bay, on the south side of the mouth of False Creek | 4.4 ha | 49°16′26″N 123°08′32″W / 49.27389°N 123.14222°W | |
| Mission Indian Reserve No. 1 | Squamish: Slhá7an̓ | North shore of Burrard Inlet on Wagg and Mosquito Creeks, bounded on the north and east by the City of North Vancouver | 59.6 ha | 49°19′00″N 123°06′00″W / 49.31667°N 123.10000°W | |
| Seymour Creek Indian Reserve No. 2 | Squamish: Ch'ich'éx̱ wí7ḵw | North shore of Burrard Inlet, on right bank of Seymour Creek, near the mouth of Second Narrows | 45.5 ha | 49°18′00″N 123°02′00″W / 49.30000°N 123.03333°W | |
| Capilano Indian Reserve No. 5 | Squamish: X̱wemelch'stn | North shore of Burrard Inlet at First Narrows, north end of Lions Gate Bridge | 155.6 ha | 49°19′00″N 123°08′00″W / 49.31667°N 123.13333°W | |
| Skowishin Indian Reserve No. 7 | Squamish: Skawshn | Left bank of the Squamish River | 29.6 ha | 49°56′00″N 123°18′00″W / 49.93333°N 123.30000°W | |
| Skowishin Graveyard Indian Reserve No. 10 | Left bank of the Squamish River near the mouth of Ashlu Creek | 0.40 ha | 49°54′32″N 123°17′36″W / 49.9090097428499°N 123.29323705526882°W | ||
| Chukchuk Indian Reserve No. 8 | Squamish: Ch’eḵ’ch’eḵ’ts | 0.1 ha | 49°58′25″N 123°18′21″W / 49.97359296702315°N 123.30573946023652°W | ||
| Poyam Indian Reserve No. 9 | Left bank of the Squamish River | 0.3 ha | 49°59′24″N 123°19′29″W / 49.98992070962588°N 123.324621110448°W | ||
| Cheakamus Indian Reserve No. 11 | Squamish: Xwakw’áyak’in | At and to the north of the junction of the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers | 1639.4 ha | 49°48′00″N 123°11′00″W / 49.80000°N 123.18333°W | |
| Yookwitz Indian Reserve No. 12 | Squamish: Yewk’ts | Right bank of the Squamish River, opposite mouth of the Cheakamus River | 9.3 ha | 49°47′00″N 123°12′00″W / 49.78333°N 123.20000°W | |
| Poquiosin & Skamain Indian Reserve No. 13 | Squamish: Pukway̓úsm-Skemín | Left bank of the Squamish River at the mouth of the Cheakamus River | 45.2 ha | 49°47′00″N 123°10′00″W / 49.78333°N 123.16667°W | |
| Waiwakum Indian Reserve No. 14 | Squamish: Wiwḵ’m | Left bank of the Squamish River 2 miles below the mouth of the Cheakamus River | 15.0 ha | 49°46′00″N 123°10′00″W / 49.76667°N 123.16667°W | |
| Aikwucks Indian Reserve No. 15 | Left bank of the Squamish River | 11.1 ha | 49°46′00″N 123°10′00″W / 49.76667°N 123.16667°W | ||
| Seaichem Indian Reserve No. 16 | Squamish: Siyích’m | East bank of Kowtain Slough of the Squamish River, 3 miles below the mouth of the Cheakamus River | 27.5 ha | 49°45′00″N 123°08′00″W / 49.75000°N 123.13333°W | |
| Kowtain Indian Reserve No. 17 | Squamish: Kaw̓tín | Left bank of Kowtain Slough of the Squamish River, 4 miles from the river mouth on Howe Sound | 20.8 ha | 49°44′00″N 123°08′00″W / 49.73333°N 123.13333°W | |
| Yekwaupsum Indian Reserve No. 18 | Squamish: Yekw’ápsm | Near left bank of the Squamish River, 3 miles from its mouth on Howe Sound | 2 ha | 49°43′00″N 123°09′00″W / 49.71667°N 123.15000°W | |
| Yekwaupsum Indian Reserve No. 19 | Squamish: Pn’p’áni | Right bank of the Squamish River, 3 miles north of its mouth on Howe Sound | 1 ha | 49°44′00″N 123°09′00″W / 49.73333°N 123.15000°W | |
| Stawamus Indian Reserve No. 24 | Squamish: Stá7mes | At the mouth of the Stawamus River at the head of Howe Sound, 1 mile southeast of downtown Squamish | 22.1 ha | 49°41′00″N 123°09′00″W / 49.68333°N 123.15000°W | |
| Kaikalahun Indian Reserve No. 25 | Squamish: Ḵ’iḵ’élx̱n | West shore of Howe Sound south of Port Mellon | 11.5 ha | 49°31′00″N 123°29′00″W / 49.51667°N 123.48333°W | |
| Chekwelp Indian Reserve No. 26 | Squamish: Ch’ḵw’elhp | West shore of Howe Sound, to the west of Keats Island | 11.3 ha | 49°25′00″N 123°30′00″W / 49.41667°N 123.50000°W | |
| Chekwelp Indian Reserve No. 26A | West shore of Howe Sound northwest of Keats Island | 0.2 ha | 49°25′00″N 123°29′00″W / 49.41667°N 123.48333°W | ||
| Schaltuuch Indian Reserve No. 27 | Squamish: Ch’ḵw’elhp | On a small island north of Shelter Island in Shoal Channel of Howe Sound, west of Keats Island | 5 ha | 49°24′00″N 123°29′00″W / 49.40000°N 123.48333°W | |
| Defence Island Indian Reserve No. 28 | Squamish: Nínich Ḵw’émḵw’em | In Howe Sound, northeast from Anvil Island (Hat Island), the easterly of two islands called Defence Islands | 1.7 ha | 49°35′00″N 123°16′00″W / 49.58333°N 123.26667°W | |
| Kwum Kwum Indian Reserve | Squamish: Ḵw’émḵw’em | The westerly of the two Defence Islands northeast of Anvil Island | 6.20 ha | 49°35′00″N 123°17′00″W / 49.58333°N 123.28333°W |
Treaty Negotiations for Land
The Squamish Nation is currently in stage 3 of the BC Treaty Process. This is a process where First Nations and governments work to create new agreements about land and rights. However, these talks have not moved forward much in recent years.
How the Squamish Nation Earns Money
The Squamish Nation owns land in areas of the Lower Mainland that are very valuable. They lease out some of these lands and properties. The money from these leases goes back to the Squamish Nation. They also earn money from businesses they own, like marinas, a driving range, and a gas station.
Big Business Deals
Recently, the Squamish Nation made a deal to put up digital billboards on their lands. These billboards are in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver, and Squamish. They are even near major bridges like the Burrard Street Bridge and Lions Gate Bridge. This deal is expected to bring in about $60 million for the Squamish Nation over 30 years.
The Squamish Nation also made an agreement for a large gaming facility to be built near Squamish.
Partnerships and Energy Projects
The Squamish Nation, the Lil’wat Nation, Bell Canada, and the Province of BC worked together. They developed the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum in Whistler, BC.
The Nation has also been involved in energy projects. This includes developing hydro power projects on rivers like Furry Creek and Ashlu. They share in the money from these projects.
Hosting the 2010 Olympic Games
The Squamish Nation joined with the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Lil'wat Nations. They formed the Four Host First Nations Society. This group worked with the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) for the 2010 Winter Olympics. These four Nations shared in hosting the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Many of the Olympic and Paralympic events took place on the shared territories of these Nations, especially around Whistler, BC.
Culture and Education
Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre
In July 2008, the Squamish Nation teamed up with the Lil'wat First Nation. They opened the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre in Whistler. These two Nations' traditional lands overlapped around the Whistler area. They had agreed in 2001 to work together on projects like this.
The centre shows traditional art, cultural items, and historical displays. It has wood carvings, a theatre, a longhouse, a pit-house, an outdoor forest walk, a cafe, and a gift shop. It's a great place to learn about their rich cultures.
See also
