First Nations
SQUAMISH NATION
The District of Squamish is located in the unceded traditional territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). We offer gratitude to the Skwxwú7mesh People who have lived on these lands since time immemorial.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Almalgamation
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), as a government, has existed since 1923 when an amalgamation request was approved to merge several Indian Bands with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People into one entity. 2023 marked the 100-year anniversary of the Amalgamation of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. The Almalgamation marks the beginning of the modern era of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw history.
The following Squamish Nation Reserves are located in Squamish:
- Wíwḵ’em (Waiwaikum)
- St’á7mes (Stawamus)
- Ch’iyáḵmesh (Cheakamus)
- Kaw̓ tín (Kowtain)
- Yékw’apsem (Yekwaupsum)
- Siy̓ích’em (Seaichem
Our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
The District of Squamish is committed to a long-term journey towards Truth, healing and Reconciliation in Squamish – one that is connected to a national movement for Reconciliation in Canada. The District supports Reconciliation, healing efforts, engagement and partnerships to build strong relationships with Indigenous Peoples founded in respect and recognition of rights and title, culture and heritage and self-governance.
The District of Squamish endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) to guide its decolonization practices in October 2018. Knowledge-building workshops focusing on the Declaration and Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action remain ongoing as part of this urgent work.
The Wa Iyí̓m ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Strong) Protocol Agreement
On July 17, 2023, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and District of Squamish signed a protocol agreement reflective of the principles, values, and traditions of the Squamish People. The Wa Iyí̓m ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Strong) Protocol Agreement provides guidance on how Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and District of Squamish meaningfully engage in advancing reconciliation. It commits both parties to the following Sḵwx̱wú7mesh principles to guide the reconciliation process:
- tkwáya7n iy nexwnew̓ítm – Listen & Engage
- wa nexwniwnen chet ta nexwniw̓ tl’a Sḵwxw̱ú7mesh – Follow the Ways of the Squamish
- tex̱wlám̓ ns7eyx̱ – Genuinely Care
- chet wa telnexw tina tl’a snewiyelh tl’a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh – Learn the Advice of the Squamish
- na wa nelhnilhtway ta úxwumixw – The People Go Through It Together
- we7us chet ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh siyá̓m̓in – Protect the Rights and Title of the Squamish
The story of the Squamish logo
The logo of Squamish represents our past and our future; our connection to the outdoors through the sky, wind, land and water; and it symbolizes our diversity. The logo creation is a result of a collaborative community process involving Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw members and the designer to establish a logo reflective of the Indigenous people and the place where we now live, play and work.
Our name, Squamish, is an English adaptation of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language word ‘Sḵwx̱wú7mesh’, meaning “Mother of the Wind” and “people of the sacred water”.
The ‘Eye of the Creator’ icon that sits proudly above ‘Squamish’ represents the powerful connection that our people – from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) residents dating back thousands of years, to residents of today – have with nature and the magnificent scenery that surrounds us.
Collaboration:
- To assist in establishing a long-term, meaningful relationship in relation to their respective communities,
- Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw and the District of Squamish entered into a Co-operation Protocol in 2007 and an Intergovernmental Co-operation Accord in 2011.
- In 2019, Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw and District of Squamish signed a Community Forest governance agreement as a model of reconciliation to work within the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. A Community Forest Agreement (CFA) was issued by the Province of British Columbia in 2022 for a period of 25 years with a replacement option every 10 years.
- The District of Squamish and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw coordinate emergency management efforts to enhance community resiliency and support cross-community preparedness and response.
- The District of Squamish and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw work together to protect and create a sustainable future for the Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound region, a designated UNESCO biosphere region that has been stewarded for generations by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw.
Resources:
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- How to say Úxwumixw: https://www.squamish.net/community-operations/
How To Say Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
Khelsilem of the Skwomesh Language Academy teaches you how to say " Sḵwx̱wú7mesh".
