Land Development Strategies Update
Council Approval of Land Uses at Three Sites & Extension of Moratorium on Third-Party Development Proposals
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Guided By Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Voices and Vision | Development Site Details | Extension of Moratorium | Join Us In Building Our Future | FAQ Document
Summary
As the Squamish People, we are forging a vibrant future for our Nation, inspired by the wisdom, voices, and values of our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stelmexw (People). Our Land Development Strategies planning initiative marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind for our Nation and will play a key role in delivering on the Uxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan on sites in the Squamish Valley and the North Shore.
This initiative showcases our commitment to stewarding our lands in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh way for generations to come. Building our Nation will provide numerous benefits for our People, such as housing, culturally significant amenities, and sustainable economic development.
We are excited to share that the Squamish Nation Council recently approved the first phase of Land Development Strategies work – including land uses for three sites, and an extension on the moratorium on third-party development proposals until April 1st, 2025 so we can move forward with the next phase of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-led development planning.
Read on to learn more about the land uses for the Marine Drive portion of Xwmélch’sten (Capilano), Ch’ich’élx̱wí7ḵw (Seymour), and Stá7mes, which include a mix of Nation housing, market residential, community spaces and amenities, an Elders Village, and commercial uses. It is important to note that the future development of these sites will require the expressed support of the Squamish People through designation votes.
During the extended moratorium period, we will not be accepting any external proposals for development on these sites. This extension is rooted in the extensive work we have accomplished so far and ensures that our Land Development Strategies remain aligned with the vision and interests of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People.
Guided By Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Voices and Vision
Over the past year and a half, the Squamish Nation, Nch’ḵay̓, and Hiy̓ám̓ have engaged deeply with our People on this work. From the Community Working Group meetings to Elders lunches, Xwi7ski! Elder’s Program Action Team meetings through the Elders project engagements, Knowledge Holders meetings, and community events, we heard from over 500 of you, each voice a vital thread weaving the fabric of our collective vision.
We heard from our community through:
• An Online Survey
• Four Open Houses
• Elder Advisory Committee Meeting
• Two Elder’s Centre Lunches
• Community Events
The Land Development Strategies initiative is one of four big development priorities the Nation has underway. We engaged with community alongside our Long-Range Capital Plan, Elder Projects, and 600 Affordable Homes Plan and there will soon be more to share on all of these initiatives, including the Northshore Elder Village and Nation homes on Xwmélch’sten.
The alignment ensures that our Nation’s growth encompasses housing, community services, culturally significant amenities, and, importantly, the sustainable economic development required to fund and deliver on these community priorities from planning for our current generation of Elders to our future generations, all development plans will be Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-led.
Development Site Details
The following land uses have received endorsement from the Squamish Nation Council. Please note that these are preliminary concepts; additional community engagement, site due diligence, market analysis, and design work is required to further refine the proposals before they will be brought to the Squamish People for a land designation vote. No development will proceed without the expressed support of the Squamish People through a designation vote.
Developing our lands will generate significant own-source revenue that will be invested in Nation priorities and attract further investment from our partners. This includes funding for infrastructure repairs, community and cultural facilities, housing for our People, spiritual and healing spaces, Elder Villages and gathering spaces, and more – for both the Squamish Valley and the North Shore.
Click map to enlarge image
The Marine Drive site will include a blend of mixed-use residential spaces, a new Nation Administrative and Community Service Centre, green spaces and expanded Nation housing, echoing this village’s the legacy of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh governance.
Story of place:
- This site honours the legacy of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh stewardship. Once, the Capilano River teemed with salmon, and the spirit of a warrior village resonated across the land. It was here that the Smáyĺilh’s capture strengthened our sovereignty. Today, the Marine Drive site serves as a remarkable gateway, representing its significance as the core of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh governance.
- View Xwmelch’sten – Story of Place
Imagery Credits: Perkins + Will, PWL, Modern Formline Design, Ginger Gosnell Myers, Livable City Planning, Bunt & Associates
Stories generously shared by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh knowledge holders. All rights reserved.
Click map to enlarge image
This future community will become a significant economic driver for the Nation with market residential, Nation housing, commercial uses and dedicated communal and spiritual spaces.
Redevelopment of the site will aim to renew and restore its environmental connections, through the clean-up of contaminated areas and the reconfiguration back to the water.
This village holds great cultural significance and includes areas that must be protected and kept private. The future of the site will aim to strike a balance between economic opportunities and the respect required for its important cultural spaces, and the privacy necessary to uphold our practices.
Story of place:
- Situated along the banks of the Seymour River, Ch’ích’elxwi7ḵw reflects its rich history as a village of fishing, potlatches, and longhouses, where numerous canoes once lined the shore. This community will honour our heritage, acting as a bridge to the Second Narrows while promoting prosperity for generations to come. With its redevelopment, the revitalized village will realign with the river, strengthening centuries of cultural tradition and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People’s profound bond with water
- View Chi’ich’elxwi7kw – Story of Place
Imagery Credits: Perkins + Will, PWL, Modern Formline Design, Ginger Gosnell Myers, Livable City Planning, Bunt & Associates
Stories generously shared by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh knowledge holders. All rights reserved.
Click map to enlarge image
Prioritizing new areas for Community and Nation housing, Stá7mes will feature an Elders Village, embracing our intergenerational living practices, the protection and enhancement of spiritual areas, and creation of new Nation service spaces.
A key outcome of the planning for this site is the vision for Upper Stá7mes, recognized by Xwi7ski! as an intergenerational village. Drawing inspiration from the cedar tree, a cultural framework has been established that centers around an Elders Village at the heartwood of the development. This Elders Village will serve as a new home for Elder residences, a new Elder Centre, traditional food hub and daycare, nurturing intergenerational learning, food sovereignty, and a continuity of care that allows for a smooth transition through the different stages of aging. Expanding outward from the rings of the cedar tree, there is potential for additional housing and community spaces, to uphold and foster our intergenerational way of living.
Story of place:
- There are many stories about X̱aays transforming living beings, with one of the most famous being about Siy̓ám̓ Smánit. In this tale, a tl’áḵtax̱ anaẃtxw (longhouse) stood where a tl’e7énḵ (big-time potlatch) was held, inviting all the Animal People.
- To immortalize this grand event, X̱aays transformed the guests and the longhouse into a mountain. The Spirits of that time still reside within the rockface, revealing themselves at various moments.
- Similarly, the legend of “The Highly Respected Daughter of a Big Chief and a Strange Dog” teaches invaluable lessons about the roles of family and community in building a Village. By embracing these Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values, we can revitalize and support essential community roles. This approach honours the teachings of the legend and fosters unity and strength, ensuring that the foundations of family and community remain vibrant for future generations.
- View Sta7mes – Story of Place
Imagery Credit: HCMA Architects, Sky Spirit Studio & Urbanics
Stories generously shared by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh knowledge holders. All rights reserved
Click map to enlarge image
This culturally significant site on the Sunshine Coast will reflect community needs, emphasizing its potential as a space for land and water-based healing and cultural celebrations.
Council supported the identification of Ch’ḵw’elhp for a number of Nation uses, including housing, community service space, spiritual space, healing and small-scale economic development. Additional community engagement and site analysis will be conducted to better understand community needs for housing, land and water-based healing, and economic development before recommending priorities for this significant site.
Story of Place:
- As one of the main Sḵwx̱wú7mesh origin villages Ch’ḵw’elhp holds many stories of the ancestors and our people’s relationship with the Spirit World. Careful consideration, time, community engagement and cultural understanding is needed to ensure any changes proposed uphold and celebrate Ch’ḵw’elhp’s important place in our history.
- View Chkwelhp – Story of Place
Imagery Credits: HCMA Architects, Sky Spirit & Urbanics
Driven by our commitment to strengthening our community, the Land Development Strategies identified a number of opportunities for new economic development in Squamish Valley.
Additional site due diligence, community engagement, and market analysis is being conducted as part of the Nation’s Squamish Valley Community Development Plan to best respond to Nation needs in the Squamish Valley.
Extension of Moratorium
Council has extended the moratorium on third-party development proposals until April 1st, 2025, reaffirming our commitment to self-determination and ensuring our development plans align with the vision of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people. During this period, we will not be accepting any external proposals for development on these sites.
This extension is rooted in the extensive work we have accomplished so far and ensures that our Land Development Strategies remain aligned with the vision and interests of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People. By prioritizing our own redevelopment efforts, we safeguard our lands and maximize their potential in ways that truly reflect our values and aspirations.
Join Us in Building Our Future
The next phase of work for the Land Development Strategies will include more detailed design of Marine Drive at Xwmélch’sten (Capilano) and Upper Stá7mes. Nation community engagement will be critical to the advancement of this work.
As we enter the second phase, we will also share more information on related Nation-building initiatives in the coming weeks. We invite you to stay informed and engaged, honoring our traditions and shared vision for a future guided by our People.
The Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan provides us with a 25-year vision. The Land Development Strategies will play a significant role in delivering on the Nation’s priorities with and for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stelmexw (People). This work will continue to deliver alongside the 600 Affordable Homes Plan, Long Range Capital Plan and Elders Care, Homes and Centres projects in the Squamish Valley and on the North Shore.
Through these initiatives, Nch’ḵay̓, Hiy̓ám̓, and the Nation will continue to work together to meet the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan 2050 vision: Everyone will be safely and securely housed and will have proper and appropriate access to healthcare and community services. Our communities will have many places for people to gather – in the forest, on the shore, in the longhouse, and in recreational spaces.
Special Acknowledgements
We want to acknowledge the Squamish People and community members who played particularly important roles in this work:
- Sarah Silva, Vice President of Real Estate & Development at Nch’ḵay̓ and Hiy̓ám̓ Housing Board Director
- Donalene Rapada, CEO of Hiy̓ám̓ Housing
- Our cultural integration leads: K̓esugwilakw Sierra Tasi-Baker, and Halikium Wade Baker of Sky Spirit Studio, and Cory Douglas of Modern Formline Design.
- The dedicated Land Development Strategies Community Working Group members: — Claire Bardach, Rosemarie Williams, Linda Calla, Mary Jane Natrall, Donna Billy, Glen Campo and the late Les Harry.
- Members of the Xwi7ski! Elder’s Program Action Team — Donna Billy, Mary Jane Natrall, Wendy Lockhart Lundberg, Kevin Rivers, Bonaro Newman, and Val Wright — for their time and wisdom in leading the visioning of the Upper Stá7mes Elder Village and Multigenerational Homes plan through a co-design process.
- Syeta’xtn Chris Lewis, Xalek Sekyu Siyam Chief Ian Campbell, Sxwpilemaát Siyám Chief Leanne Joe, and Keith Nahanee Sr., and other Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Knowledge Holders.
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