X̱ay Temíxw
Sacred Land Use Plan

The X̱ay Temíxw defines the community’s vision for managing the future of the forests and wilderness in specific areas of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory.

X̱ay Temíxw

This is a 2023 reproduction of the draft X̱ay Temíxw – first documented in May 2001, but never finalized to allow for future planning.

In 2000, the time was right to develop a Sacred Land Use Plan that was community-driven, capturing and entrenching the cultural and natural values such as inherent rights to exercise the use of our land and waters, and all the resources within the territory occupied and used by our ancestors. The first version of the draft X̱ay Temíxw summarizes what was heard at community feasts, in individual interviews, and in workshops with Elders and youth.

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The X̱ay Temíxw defines the community’s vision for managing the future of the forests and wilderness in a specific area of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory by translating key cultural and natural landscape values into four ‘zones’ of management: Forest Stewardship Areas, Sensitive Areas, Restoration Areas, and Wild Spirit Places, with direction from the community to identify and designate site specific cultural areas as future management areas. The document is intended to be a tool for the active management and protection of the land, while also providing opportunity for jobs and economic benefits for the Squamish People.

Since its original publication, the X̱ay Temíxw has acted as a guiding document to support numerous landmark agreements between Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, the Province of BC, and other stakeholders from 2001 to the present.

In tem kw’eskw’ás (June) 2022, Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Council) approved Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw 2026 – the strategic plan which outlines objectives and goals for the Nation to prioritize for the next four years.

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw 2026 set a strategic objective to “update the X̱ay Temíxw Land Use Plan”. The next phase of work to update the X̱ay Temíxw will include additional information in a current context, develop an associated X̱ay Shkwen Marine Use Plan, and expand its scope into a comprehensive Land Use Plan. This update project will include meaningful engagement with the Squamish People to ensure the community’s vision is upheld for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory and waters.

Stséḵtseḵ Forestry Framework

The Stséḵtseḵ Forestry Framework is an extension of the X̱ay Temíxw. It follows the protocol that “everything is connected” and is a guiding document on how the Nation makes decisions and cares for the forests.

Importantly, the Stséḵtseḵ Forestry Framework sets the stage for collaborative partnerships with governmental bodies and stakeholders, in a way that asserts Indigenous rights and title, as we move to a new model of forestry management in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory. All proposed forestry activities in our territory must undergo a rigorous evaluation process by the Nation and meet strict criteria before receiving consent to proceed.

As part of the Stséḵtseḵ Forestry Framework, the Nation will continue to carry out more work to inform and adapt its decision-making. Some of these studies are already in process, and will include:

  • Cumulative effects assessment.
  • Cedar restoration and management.
  • Wildlife connectivity.
  • Water, soil, and terrestrial/fungal network information gathering.
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