Uts'am Witness Project facts for kids

The Uts'am Witness Project was a special effort that started in 1997. It was first called The Witness Project. This project helped protect an important area of land for the Squamish people. It brought people together in a peaceful way to stop logging in a place called "Tree Farm License 38" (TFL38). This area is part of the Squamish Nation's traditional lands. At that time, there were often arguments and protests between people who wanted to protect nature and those who worked in logging.

What is the Uts'am Witness Project?

The Uts'am Witness Project was created to protect a special part of the Squamish Nation's land. It aimed to do this without fighting. The project wanted to show people the beauty and importance of the land. It also helped bring the land back to its original name, Nexw-áyantsut. This name means 'place of transformation' in the Squamish language.

How the Project Started

The project was started by three people:

• Nancy Bleck, an artist and photographer.
• John Clarke, a famous mountaineer.
• Chief Bill Williams, a Hereditary Chief of the Squamish Nation.

They wanted to invite the public to visit the land. This way, people could see why it was important to protect it. The project began at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver. Nancy Bleck was the first artist to work there.

What People Did

The Uts'am Witness Project invited people to join summer camping trips. These trips took place at Sims Creek in the Elaho Valley. Participants also took part in a traditional Coast Salish Witness Ceremony. This ceremony helped people connect with the land and its history. The project was only supposed to last for one summer. However, it became very popular and ran for 10 years! About 10,000 people joined in.

Making a Difference

The project was very successful. It helped stop logging in the area. The land was then protected under the Squamish Nation Sacred Land Use Plan. This plan helps the Squamish Nation manage and care for their traditional lands. The project also helped give the land its ancestral name back: Nexw-áyantsut.

The Book About the Project

In October 2013, a book was published about the project. It is called Picturing Transformation Nexw-áyantsut. The book shows Nancy Bleck's beautiful photographs. It was written by Katherine Dodds, Nancy Bleck, and Chief Bill Williams. The book explains how the project not only saved the land from logging but also brought back its true name.