Sḵwx ̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and District of Squamish Councils advance reconciliation work through shared task force on public lands

SQUAMISH, BC, Unceded territory of the Sḵwx ̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) –

The District of Squamish (District) and Squamish Nation are advancing reconciliation work through a transparent and collaborative process to explore the current use of public lands. The two governments view this work as a leading example of how an Indigenous and municipal government can work together to create opportunities and benefit for all.  Each Council has appointed three members to a joint task force and approved a Terms of Reference to fulfill one of the priorities of the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – to research, learn, and engage the public on the concept of land back. 

The Land Back Task Force is a reconciliation-driven initiative that responds to the historical alienation of Squamish People from their land. The task force’s scope of work does not involve privately owned property, and residents with private land holdings will not be impacted.

The task force itself does not have decision making power; it is a coordinated engagement and research effort on behalf of both Councils. The task force will research and engage in meaningful dialogue, both among its members and the public, and make recommendations to the respective Councils.

The task force will focus on restoring Squamish Nation governance, stewardship, and cultural connection to lands currently under public jurisdiction. This may include recommendations regarding: 

• Co-managing parks and protected areas. 
• Restoring original place names. 
• Granting exclusive access to cultural sites for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People. 
• Facilitating access to traditional harvesting sites. 
• Exploring opportunities to recommend policy updates for District land dispositions.
• Advocating for Squamish Nation as it relates to Crown land dispositions.

The primary goal of the task force is to develop a framework for Land Back within the District of Squamish, including: 

• Researching external examples of Land Back initiatives to inform the local process. 
• Creating mechanisms for shared decision-making, co-management and policy development that respect Sḵwx̱wú7mesh jurisdiction. 

The six members of the task force are: 

• Councillor Is’gh’li-ya, Anthony Joseph (Squamish Nation)
• Councillor Kalkalilh, Deanna Lewis (Squamish Nation)
• Councillor Jonny Williams (Squamish Nation)
• Councillor Eric Andersen (District of Squamish)
• Mayor Armand Hurford (District of Squamish)
• Councillor Jenna Stoner (District of Squamish)

 

Commitment to Transparency  

The District and Squamish Nation are committed to transparency and true collaboration between governments as the task force work moves forward. This has been a commitment since signing the MOU, and the governments will each work to ensure Squamish people and District residents have access to resources and information, and be engaged throughout the process.  

Commitment to Community Learning and Dialogue 

As a first step, District residents are invited to join in learning about the historical facts and legal frameworks for Indigenous rights and title in Canada to help contextualize recent court decisions, build historical literacy and ground public dialogue.  

The following resources have been compiled to support the public’s learning journey: 

• Supporting resource links and articles 
• Frequently Asked Questions and definitions 
• Upcoming: A Learning and Dialogue series of speaker events is being planned with the Squamish Public Library, with dates to be announced.  

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The MOU between Squamish Nation and the District was signed in July 2025 and is a natural continuation of decades of cooperation between the two governments. It builds on past agreements and successful joint initiatives like flood protection, emergency planning, and forest governance, and sets out a shared path for land stewardship, reconciliation and collaborative decision-making. The work recognizes that collaborating in meaningful ways can lead to a vibrant and inclusive Squamish for all.  

Further information on the task force and MOU, including the task force Terms of Reference are available at Squamish.ca/mou. Information on engagement opportunities will be shared once the Task Force has begun their work and approved an engagement plan. 

Quotes: 

"The establishment of this task force represents a meaningful and collaborative step forward in inter-governmental relations. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People have lived on these lands for thousands of years, and our work alongside the District of Squamish to shape the future of public lands in this region will only deepen our shared commitment to responsible stewardship — for the benefit of all who call this place home."

- Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, Chairperson and Spokesperson, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw 

“Council continues to be committed to genuine and lasting reconciliation with the Squamish Nation and the work of this task force further supports that goal. We believe that it’s important to sit with our community and our Indigenous partner and have meaningful conversations on this important matter, in a good way. This work is based on recognition, respect and inclusion, and we encourage everyone to have an open mind and maintain curiosity, to engage together in dialogue and learning.” 

- Armand Hurford, Mayor, District of Squamish

March 18, 2026