In this section of our guide to American Indian and First Nations communities, we are focusing on the Squamish (Skwxwú7mesh) people.
The ancestors of the Squamish people have inhabited the Pacific Northwest Coast of what is now southwestern British Columbia, Canada, for more than a thousand years. The Squamish homeland began at Point Grey in the south and stretched north to Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast, following the path of Howe Sound. The northern region encompassed the areas around the Squamish, Cheakamus, Elaho, and Mamquam rivers. This included territory extending beyond Whistler, up the Cheakmus River. To the south and east, their land included the Indian Arm area, following along Burrard Inlet, passing through False Creek, then around English Bay, and back to Point Grey.
Traditionally, Squamish family units lived in longhouses made from cedar planks. Typically, a longhouse would be 30 feet wide, 40 feet long, and from 13-19 feet high, although this could vary according to the size of the family. A Squamish village might include larger longhouses that were used for ceremonial purposes. Leadership within a family was relegated to the siy̓ám̓, who would act in the best interests of the family and was chosen by factors that included his status within the community, the village, and neighboring villages.
A historical practice of the Squamish people was a custom in which an infant's head would be placed in a wooden bust model of the head and shoulders to gradually alter the shape of the head so that the forehead would be more flattened. This shape was thought to be attractive and was regarded as a sign of nobility.
Prior to contact with Europeans, the Squamish people often traveled by canoe. Large cedar trees were carved into dug-out canoes. Families would often travel to different villages or nations to visit relatives.
The traditional Squamish language (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim) is a Coast Salish language that is near extinction today, although still used in ceremonies and conversation among some. As children have not been learning it as a first language for a long time, speakers of the language are over the age of sixty-five.
The diet of the Squamish people has always been centered around fish, particularly salmon, which were traditionally caught through the use of fishing weirs. In the past, salmon would be roasted over fires, eaten fresh, or dried for preservation. By smoking the fish over alder or hemlock fires, the salmon could be stored for up to a couple of years. Over time, this has evolved into a method for preserving salmon through canning.
Forest gardens along the coast included crabapple, hazelnut, wild plum, wild cherry, and cranberry species. Men would also hunt bears, deer, elk, squirrels, and birds, while women would gather various fruits, nuts, roots, and other edibles.
As with other American Indian and First Nations peoples, European contact in the late 18th century brought trade opportunities, but it also brought disease, colonization, and industrialization, all of which meant drastic changes in the way of life for Squamish people.
Today, most Squamish people are enrolled in the Squamish Nation, formed through the amalgamation of multiple Squamish communities in 1923. Its territory spans 6,732 square kilometers, encompassing twenty-three villages.
The Squamish people live throughout and outside of their reserves, although a majority live on the reserves. There are Squamish communities on nine of the twenty-six Squamish reserves, most of which are located on long-occupied village sites, camp sites, and historical sites.
Historical and contemporary Squamish villages include Sen̓áḵw, X̱wáy̓x̱way, Xwmélch’tstn, Eslhá7an, Ch’ích’elxwi7ḵw, Átsnach, Ch’ḵw’elhp, Ḵ’íḵ’elx̱en, Tsítsusem, St’á7mes, Yékw’apsem, Ḵw’éla7en, Kaw̓tín, Siy̓ích’em, Wíwḵ’em, Puḵway̓úsem, Ch’iyáḵmesh, Skáwshn, and P’uy̓ám̓.
Online resources for the Squamish Nation government, its programs, services, events, schools, medical facilities, museums, or other entities are appropriate topics for this category, as are those belonging to Squamish individuals.
Recommended Resources
Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan
The plan, which aims to enable the Squamish community to build a roadmap to sustainability, self-sufficiency, and improved governance, is an adaptation of the vision committees established to enact the goals of UN Agenda 21. It is designed to cover all aspects of the Nation, including its culture, language, economy, education, governance, health, infrastructure, housing, land, and resources. The planning team, engagement programs, photographs, and contacts are provided on the site.
https://www.squamish2050.net/
The school offers an elementary school program based on Indigenous Ways of Learning and Being. It offers Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6, with plans to add a Grade 7 program and, later, a full Squamish Nation Immersion School. Its mandate is to guide children's learning in a way that weaves the Nation's language and traditions into daily teachings. Its curriculum and stewardship are highlighted, and the school's staff are introduced. Monthly and yearly calendars and contacts are included.
https://www.capilanolittleones.com/
Created and maintained by Tourism Squamish, which may or may not be affiliated directly with the Squamish Nation, the non-profit organization arranges campaigns to promote the Squamish region to the world, operates the Visitor Information Centre from the Squamish Adventure Centre, and offers customer support during the summer months. In consultation with the Squamish Nation, the site advocates for local businesses, and offers a guide to things to do and see in Squamish.
https://www.exploresquamish.com/
Founded by the Squamish Nation Council in 2019, the Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society is a not-for-profit organization responsible for building and managing affordable housing for enrolled Squamish members. Its long-range goal is to house every Squamish person on Squamish Nation land within twenty-five years. The society highlights its housing projects, with photos and details on each, including features and amenities. Its housing programs and career opportunities are included.
https://hiyamhousing.com/
A campus of the Sea to Sky School District, the public secondary school is a grade 10-12 graduation school in Squirmish, British Columbia. With a student population of just over eight hundred students, it offers programs in the arts, service, academics, and athletics. A virtual tour of the campus is available, and a school calendar, bus schedule, learning plan, code of conduct, school map, and contacts are posted, along with an Indigenous Education Enhancement Agreement.
https://www.sd48howesound.org/
Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation
Formed in 2018 as the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation, the Corporation's mandate is to develop, manage, and own the nation's active businesses, separating business and politics within the Squamish Nation. The Nch’ḵay̓ executive team and senior leadership are introduced, as are its businesses. A business directory provides links to individual business websites. Career opportunities, an endorsed business registry, and land development strategies are stated.
https://www.nchkay.com/
Nexw7áỷstwaỷ Training and Trades Centre, The
Established in 2004, the facility offers a variety of job training programs, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, piping, heavy equipment operation, and business administration, as well as courses designed for youth and women in trades, each of which are explained here. The facility staff is introduced, and information about eligibility and applying for a program is provided. A telephone number, email address, mailing address, and an online contact form are provided.
https://www.squamishnationttc.ca/
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw / Squamish Nation
The Squamish Nation is a First Nations government in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Squamish, British Columbia. The government includes an elected council that oversees and provides direction to the chief administrative officer who oversees the administrative arm of the Nation. An introduction to the Nation, its governance and structure, divisions, programs, services, and membership code are defined, along with community initiatives, events, and opportunities.
https://www.squamish.net/
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Lil̓wat7úl Cultural Centre
The Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre is a First Nations museum, art gallery, and gift shop that includes the Thunderbird Café. The Cultural Ambassadors share traditional drum songs, short films, and a guided tour of the museum, which shares the stories of two distinct Nations—the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and the Lil̓wat7úl. Exhibits include carved house posts, canoes, spindle whorls, weaving, regalia, artwork, and artifacts. A traditional Longhouse and Istken Pithouse are included.
https://slcc.ca/
Long before European settlement of the Vancouver area, Squamish ancestors had a village at Sen̓áḵw. Families from upper Squamish villages would travel down to Sen̓áḵw, where the lands and waters were ideal for fishing, hunting, and harvesting. Sen̓áḵw was a hub for trade, commerce, socialization, and culture. The vision for the organization that takes that name is one of economic development for the Squamish Nation, with integration with the arts and culture of the Squamish people.
https://senakw.com/
The Sníchim Foundation is a non-profit foundation created to help revitalize the language of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) people. The Foundation provides immersion language opportunities for adult learners, creating fluent Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim (Squamish language) speakers at an accelerated rate. Its website includes a history of the language, an overview of its language programs, including certificate and diploma programs, and a list of like-minded organizations.
https://snichimfoundation.ca/
Sovereign Skwxwú7mesh-Squamish Government, The
The SSG is a non-registered corporation that asserts a connection to the Skwxwú7mesh-Squamish people and presents itself as a sovereign government with its own economic system and traditional laws. A lengthy statement regarding its international legal status is provided. SSG jurisdiction, SSG branches, and SSG sovereign relations are discussed. SSG financial solutions, such as gold, copper, and other forms of currency, are highlighted, along with other financial matters.
https://sovsqugov.org/
The full-service family medical clinic was founded in 1989 by Squamish's first physician, Dr. L. Kindree, who came to Squamish in 1948 to serve the entire corridor from Squamish to Mount Currie for more than fifty years. The clinic shares its building with the Squamish Dental Clinic, Sea to Sky Orthopaedics, and Sea to Sky Sports Physio. Its staff and services are introduced, along with appointment policies, health information, working hours, and contacts.
https://squamishmedicalclinic.com/
St. Paul's Indian Church Preservation Trust
Situated on the Squamish Mission Reserve in North Vancouver, British Columbia, St. Paul's is the oldest Catholic Church in the Lower Mainland, a functional heritage building, and a designated National Historic Site. Still a functional Catholic Church, Mass is held on Sunday mornings and evenings, as well as on Thursday evenings, with other religious programs throughout the week. A schedule of services is published on the site, including the church's history, and contacts.
http://www.stpaulsindianchurch.com/
The St. Paul's Catholic parish community on the Squamish Mission Reserve in North Vancouver is featured here, along with photographs, videos, and links to the St. Paul's Preservation Trust and other associated resources. Mass times, and schedules for other Sacraments and programs, are featured, and the locations of St. Paul Parish and the Infant Jesus of Prauge Catholic Church are shown on a map, with addresses and contacts. Members may sign up for an account on the site.
https://stpaulssquamishnv.ca/
