Who We Are
History
The history of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People is rich and complex, with deep ancestral connections through our language. Our lands, customs, and traditions are the foundation of who we are. We have carried our stories through oral based knowledge systems, teachings, and written support. Our people governed this land well before recorded history. For over thousands of years we have maintained permanent villages, water, and land-based resources. Follow along as we journey through a brief history from the long ago to where we are now. Please note that these stories are an overview. We are only scratching the surface of our deep and long-standing history. We recognize and acknowledge your family may have a different telling or hold extra pieces of the stories shared throughout the following.
Influences
The forces of the world around us have affected our ways of being and doing since our creation. Before contact these forces were other tribes, the climate, plants and animals, and our spiritual teachings. When contact happened the world around us changed and so did external forces. These forces now include colonial governments (Federal, Provincial, Municipal), new technologies, and the urbanization of our territory. External forces impact every part of our lives: where our communities are, our ability to access the lands and waters, how we practice our culture, and how we govern ourselves. Here are how these forces influence us.
1
Tem nexw7áy̓stway – The Time of Transformation
Over 140 million years ago, movement of the earth’s crust (including continents and islands), volcanoes, and shallow seas gave rise to the lands and rocks that we now see as the Coast Mountains.
2
X̱ex̱en̓antm i7x̱w temíxw – Ice ages
The ice ages began about 2.6 million years ago and lasted until 11,000 years ago. They brought glaciers and ice sheets to huge expanses in the Northern hemisphere. In our territory the ice ages brought at least three major advances and retreats of glaciers, with the last major advance occurring from about 25,000 to 12,000 years ago. As the glaciers melted, they shaped our rivers and creeks - the Capilano, Seymour, Mamquam, and the rivers of the Squamish watershed. Our land was shaped by the melting of ice, including the creation of Indian Arm and Howe Sound.
3
Tem X̱aays – The Time of the X̱aays (Transformer Brothers)
Four brothers, supernatural beings called X̱aays, were sent by the Creator to this region to give teachings and moral understandings of the world to the people who were living here. They transformed the landscape and life.
4
Ti s7a7ú7 swa7ám̓-cht –The First Ancestor Story
The story of our Ancestors begins with Ts’eḵánchtn, a man who appeared and lived in Chk̲ẃelhp, where he and his wife raised a family. After many years, he heard a loud noise and discovered a man named Sx̲eláltn dancing Sx̱way̓x̱wey (a ceremonial rite) on his roof. He was invited down, but Sx̲eláltn continued to dance until the ceremony was complete. These two men (brothers) eventually parted ways, and Sx̲eláltn formed a second village across the creek at Schen̓ḵ, where he raised his own family. They survived on the riches of the sea and forest. Their descendants would spread over the land, across the water to Vancouver Island and up and down the coast.
5
The Story of Siy̓ám̓ Smánit – The Stawamus Chief
What is now known as the Chief was originally a longhouse. A Tl’a7áshen-Feast was held inside with all the animal people as guests. The X̱aays (Transformer Brothers) immortalized this event by turning both the guests and the longhouse into stone. The spirits that were in the longhouse during the transformation remain enclosed within. Today on the rock face you can see different animals emerging from the stones. The longhouse is still visible, and the spirits of the guests remain trapped inside.
6
The Story of Slhx̱i7lsh
(Siwash Rock)
The story of Slhx̱i7lsh tells of a man committed to his marriage, who trained for the arrival of his future child by taking morning swims in the water to near present-day Ambleside Park. During his return lap, the X̱aays (Transformers) in their canoe blocked his passage. They told him he had to move and that he could not pass, but his determination told him he would do what he must for his wife and future child. The Transformers were amazed at his defiance of them as the emissaries of the Great Spirit and decided upon his fate. He would be transformed into the rock outcropping of what is now Slhx̱i7lsh (Siwash Rock) for all future generations to remember his sacrifice for spiritual cleansing and fatherhood. His wife was also transformed into a rock, which is beside Siwash Rock.
7
The Great Flood
When the great rains came and flooded our land, some of our families packed what they could carry into their canoes, then paddled upstream. As the water rose, they quickly realized that they would have to walk up the mountain range to stay safe. They eventually found themselves at the top of Nch’ḵay̓ (Mount Garibaldi) and anchored their canoes to an arbutus tree. One day the rain stopped, and the sun came out, and that is how our people survived the great flood.
8
Kwétsiwit na nam̓ x̱eyx̱ – Those Who Went To War (the story of the two sisters)
This story tells of two sisters who were daughters of a highly respected Siy̓ám (headman). This Siy̓ám was in conflict with the northern people, but his two daughters managed to persuade him to seek peace with them. The Transformer Brothers witnessed this act of selflessness and transformed them into two sister mountains so the people would remember their deed. These two mountains are now known as the Lions of Vancouver.
9
The Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Royal Proclamation was issued by the King of England, George III, in 1763. It stated that Aboriginal lands could only be occupied by settlers after “nation-to-nation” negotiations with First Peoples. This was to protect the lands from colonial land speculators in eastern North America.
10
1770’s: The Pandemics
A smallpox epidemic during the 1770s was devastating to our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh population. Over approximately 80 years, several other outbreaks impacted our people, these include: a smallpox epidemic in 1800–1801; influenza in 1836–1837; measles in 1847–1848; and smallpox again in 1862. Over time the population of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People recovered and when the first Europeans sailed up Howe Sound in their big boats we were strong and numerous again.
11
1791-92: Spanish Ships Arrive
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People are the first Indigenous People on the mainland known to have met Europeans, who first arrived in 1791 near St’á7mes. Spanish Captain Jose Maria Narvaez was the first European to explore our territory. The following year, 1792, the British naval Captain George Vancouver met the Spanish expedition in what is now called Burrard Inlet.
12
1862: Residential Schools
First residential schools established in Canada by Roman Catholic missionaries.
13
1862: Canada is established as a country
14
1876: Indian Act
The Indian Act was first introduced in 1876 and combined a number of colonial laws that aimed to eliminate First Nations culture in favor of assimilation into Euro-Canadian society.
15
1884: Cultural Outlaw
The federal government amends the Indian Act to outlaw the potlach and winter dance ceremonies.
16
1906: Delegation of Chiefs
A delegation of Chiefs from British Columbia, including Chief Joe Capilano, travelled to Ottawa and England to implore the Crown to resolve and reconcile our rights to the land. By 1924, it was illegal for us to gather to discuss politics.
17
1913: Removal from Sen̓áḵw
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People were removed from Sen̓áḵw by the Province of B.C. via barge. Province acquired the land, but due process was not followed.
18
July 23, 1923: Amalgamation
The loss of land at Sen̓áḵw (Kitsilano) and in the Squamish Valley created concerns among the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people. Eight years of discussions result in the joining of 16 villages into Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw as we know it today. Our ancestors signed the amalgamation document On July 23, 1923. “... the only solution for the good government of the tribe is the amalgamation of the several”.
19
1951: Cultural Allowance
After sustained protest from First Nations, the Indian Act was amended to remove the anti-potlach and anti-winter dance provisions.
20
1961: Right to Vote
Federal legislation allows Aboriginal Peoples to vote in federal elections for the first time.
21
1981: Change in Governance
In 1981 The Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw governance structure shifted from a hereditary system to a custom democratically elected system, under the Indian Act. Sixteen councilors were elected for four-year terms, plus an elected Band Manager. The councilors elect Co-Chairs of the Council instead of a Chief, and two political spokespersons.
22
1985: Bill C-31
Bill C-31 removed Indian Act provisions tying Indian Status to marriage, which allowed women and their children who lost Indian Status through marriage to regain it. It also allowed Bands to control their Membership lists.
24
2003: Return of Sen̓áḵw
Following decades in the courts, which also heard counter claims by the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations to interests in the reserve, in 2003 the Federal Court of Canada finally returned to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw control over a misshapen portion of the earlier, larger reserve. Of the original 80 acres, just 10.48 acres exist today as reserve land.
23
2000: SN Trust is Established
Referendum vote was passed in 2000 by Members to create the Squamish Nation Trust and to receive the Sen̓áḵw portion of the Kitsilano lands back. The Nation received a $92.5million settlement in recognition of lands surrendered plus the agreed upon parcel of land to be returned (Sen̓áḵw). Trustees distributed 20% of the settlement to community members that were alive at the time, legal fees were paid back to the Squamish Nation, and the remainder went into a trust fund that exists to this day. Potential interest made from the trust can go towards supporting community through distribution payments and project and entrepreneurial grants.
25
2011: Bill C-3
Bill C-3 further addressed sex-based discrimination in the Indian Act, extended Indian Status to grandchildren of women whose Indian Status was reinstated through Bill C-31 (under certain conditions).
26
2018: Election Reform
On December 6, 2018, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People voted in favor of a referendum on Election Reform. It changed the Council structure to 7 elected Councilors and 1 elected Chairperson, plus an elected Band Manager. These changes came into effect with the Council election in 2021.
27
2017/2019: Bill S-3
Bill S-3 is the most recent amendment to the Indian Act correcting sex-based inequities. It ensures great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren of women who lost Indian Status through marriage are entitled to registration (under certain conditions).
28
2021: Call for Canada to identify graves
In the wake of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc’s discovery of children buried at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw calls for all cemeteries, residential school sites, and unmarked graves where Indigenous children may have been buried to be identified.
29
2021: Bring Squamish Home
On July 28, 2021, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People voted in favor of a referendum to designate three sites (Mathias Road, Orwell Street, Government Road) for affordable housing, built exclusively for our people.
30
2021: Building Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh’s Community Plan
The Nation starts developing a comprehensive community plan to assist in achieving the vision of Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh People and core directions for land and cultural stewardship.
Reclaiming Jurisdiction
The government has allowed First Nations to start reclaiming control of certain areas and ways of life. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw is moving forward to reclaim jurisdiction in several areas. How we will support and protect our families, youth, and children in the Chiy̓áxw Project (Child and Family Law). How we will educate our children and youth in both western and traditional ways through s7ulh wa nexwniw̓éyalh (Our Ways of Education). How we will govern our people and our ways of life through s7ulh kwis Úxwumixw (Our Ways of Being a Nation – Our Constitution). These planning processes take many years and many of our people to make sure that they are strongly rooted in our ways of being and doing and will be accepted by the federal government.
Amalgamation &
Our Governance
Since settlement began there has been immense pressure on each of our families and separate tribes. The decision to amalgamate was complex for our people, and it took them many years of discussion to decide. On July 23, 1923 our ancestors signed the amalgamation, which changed our families forever. Amalgamation established the Council of Hereditary Chiefs to conduct the affairs of the Nation and to guarantee good government and equality to all Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People. This was a modification of the traditional custom of consensus-based decision making. It would change over time to what we currently have as our Council structure. Each decision our ancestors made was for our future and to protect the lands and rights we had left, they believed Amalgamation was the best way to do so.
The Indian Act and Assimilation Attempts
The Indian Act is a major part of the long history of attempted assimilation and eradication of our people. It established ways to end our cultural, social, economic, and political ways of being. We have experienced many attempts to remove us from our land, culture, and each other. This includes the creation of the reservation system, residential and day schools, the 60s scoop, outlawing of our culture, and removal of Membership from our women. Our people are survivors. The separation our Elders and ancestors experienced from each other, the land, and our ways of life continues to impact how we live our daily lives. We continue to heal as a community, reconnecting with what we lost, and reclaiming who we are as a people.
Climate Crisis
Many organizations and governments, including the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, have acknowledged we are living in a time of climate change and crisis. Our land is responding to what is being done to it. As protectors of the land we feel these changes.
Urbanization & Geographic Location
Our territory is home to a vast urban landscape that includes many cities and towns, including parts of Metro Vancouver, the North Shore, and Squamish. Over the past 15 years we have seen rapid population growth. This has impacted every part of our lives including the cost of living, our access to the lands, waters, and other resources, and our ability to move around our territory.
Technology
Technology changes quickly and affects our daily lives, influencing how we communicate, work, and travel. It also impacts the ways we create and think. We have integrated technology into some of our practices like our art forms (carving, weaving, etc.) and ways of travelling. While technology has brought benefits, it has also presented challenges for us. It has changed us and our world forever. We must continue to learn about and use new technology, while staying true to our ways of being and doing.
Planning Team
Ta na wa Shéway I7x̱w ta Úxwumixw
(Planning & Capital Projects)
Bob Sokol
Director, Planning & Capital Projects
Bob Sokol is a planner with 30 years of experience working with communities to achieve their desired futures. His work with the Squamish Nation is focused on engaging with Squamish Nation members to chart a course for a sustainable and vibrant future for the Nation encompassing land use, culture, language, health, housing and the environment.
Ruby Carrico
Planning Manager
Ruby Carrico was born and raised on the unceded and shared territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Nations in what is now known as Vancouver. She comes to her role as Planner with Planning & Capital Projects from the non-profit sector where she worked in housing, facilitation, and community engagement. She has a B.Sc. in Natural Resources Conservation and a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning with a specialization in Indigenous Community Planning, both obtained from UBC. Ruby has been with the Squamish Nation since February 2022 is excited and honoured to be working on the Squamish Nation Generational Plan and other planning projects.
Jessica Walker
Planner
Mestl’áxwts, Jessica Walker is a proud Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw member and is a descendant of the Johnston family. Jessica also comes from Ukrainian heritage on her mother’s side. She has worked for the Squamish Nation for last two years at Ayás Mén̓men and is now starting a new path as a planner and will be primarily working on the 2050 generational plan. She has been learning traditional plant use and Coast Salish weaving and is grateful for the teachings and to be from good people who have such rich history and connection with the land.
Former Members
Thank you for your contributions
Lesley Campbell Reeva Billy Mason Gamley
Community Working Group
-
Rosemarie Williams – Yususult
-
Sxwpilemaát Siyám – Chief Leanne Joe
-
Wendy Lockhart Lundberg
-
Tiaoutenaat – Roberta ‘Jackie” Williams
-
Les Harry