Vancouver, B.C., (October 29, 2024, 9:00 A.M.) – The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), guided by the voices and values of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People, announced today that Council has approved the first phase of work on its Land Development Strategies (LDS), including land uses for three priority sites in North Vancouver and Squamish. This Nation-led initiative marks the first-ever comprehensive development approach for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw lands by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, aimed at aligning both current and future Nation needs while reflecting cultural and ancestral significance.
The initiative covers development strategies for several key sites, including St’á7mes IR 24, the Marine Drive portion of Xwmélch’sten IR 5, and portions of Ch’ich’élx̱wí7ḵw IR 2. Each site boasts a unique vision that honours its historical context while offering tangible benefits like housing, economic development, and community amenities.
“Over the past year and a half, we have extensively engaged with our People on this work, from Community Working Group meetings to community events, Council meetings, and Elders luncheons,” shares Wilson Williams, Council member and spokesperson of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. “Redevelopment of Nation lands benefits Squamish People and the greater region; it advances the Nation’s economic autonomy and ability to support new Nation needs. A Nation-led planning process advances our self-determination and right to self-governance.”
The LDS outlines the land uses for each site:
St’á7mes IR 24 will focus on community uses and explore Nation housing opportunities.
Xwmélch’sten (Capilano) IR 5’s Marine Drive site is set for mixed-use market residential developments, Nation housing, and a new Administrative and Community Service Centre.
Ch’ich’élx̱wí7ḵw (Seymour) IR 2 envisions a new community featuring market residential mixed uses and areas for Nation housing and community purposes.
“Planning for our Nation lands considers the needs of current and future Sḵwx̱wú7mesh generations, socially, culturally and economically; it reflects a world-class way of incorporating the Nation’s culture, values and way of life into the design and demonstrates the Nation’s leadership in this realm,” says Mindy Wight, CEO of Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation. “This Nation-led initiative affirms the Nation’s self-determination in shaping future land use decisions.”
In support of these developments, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Council has approved an extension of the moratorium on third-party proposals for redevelopment of priority Nation lands until April 1, 2025. This allows the Nation to continue the development planning without external proposals, ensuring that the process remains Nation-led and aligned with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh interests.
Donalene Rapada, CEO of Hiy̓ám̓ Housing, states, “We are confident that this work will bring many benefits to our People, including housing, culturally significant amenities, and sustainable economic development.”
The Nation emphasized that the development concepts would only proceed with the expressed support of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People through a land designation vote. Continued engagement with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community will be a priority as the LDS initiative moves into its second phase.
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Media Inquiries
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Contact: media@squamish.net
Nch’ḵay̓ Contact: media@nchkay.com
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (also known as the Squamish Nation) is a unity of the Squamish Peoples with an uplifting culture, rich history, and exciting future. The Nation is an innovative Indigenous government that uses its resources to provide, guide, and protect the Squamish territory and people. The Squamish People continue to reside in the area now described as the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. The largest proportion live in several urban reserve communities in the present-day cities of Vancouver, North and West Vancouver and the municipality of Squamish, BC. Over 47 per cent of the nearly 4100 Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People live on-reserve, and membership is determined by guidelines set out in the Nation’s Membership Code. The Nation has never ceded or surrendered title to its lands, rights to its resources, or the power to make decisions within its territory. Learn more at squamish.net/about-our-nation.
Nch’ḵay̓ was established in 2018 as the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation. Its mandate is to develop, manage and own the active businesses of the Nation. It was created to allow for the separation of business and politics within the Squamish Nation. Wholly owned by the Skwxwú7mesh Nation (Squamish Nation), Nch’ḵay̓’s mission is to pursue and implement economic opportunities that create long-term wealth and prosperity for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and its People, while operating in a way that upholds Nation values and cultural teachings.
Learn more at nchkay.com.
Hiy̓ám̓ Housing is the not-for-profit organization mandated to lead the development and management of non-profit affordable housing for the Squamish People. Hiy̓ám̓ Housing currently manages 187 affordable housing units and they are also leading the development in Vancouver, North Shore, and Squamish Valley of 300 confirmed new affordable rental homes. They are mandated to deliver 1,000 new homes for the Squamish People and contribute to the Nation’s goal of housing every Squamish Person within a generation. Learn more at hiyamhousing.com.