2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion
2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities.
What does 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion mean?
2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations and gender identities.
2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion is identifying and removing challenges by addressing the unique needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ people so they can fully participate in social, cultural, spiritual, and economic life along with everyone else in the Squamish Nation. This includes (not limited to) raising awareness, making changes to physical spaces, and adjusting how we interact with one another.
On this page:
About the Logo
“I have created this piece for the 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion initiative for the Squamish Nation. The work was done in collaboration with the Community Advisory Group (CAG) and together we ensured the piece would capture the essence and the intent of the initiative. It is a depiction of a Thunderbird with embracing wings which also take the shape of a heart. The image itself is sprawled across the 2SLGBTQIA+ flag.
The Thunderbird is the official emblem representing the Squamish Nation and the image itself, with the heart shaped wings are to represent that the love and care of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ulh is love for all.
Our history tells us we were great stewards and protectors of our lands and our rights, but we were also very loving and caring people, we have many unifying phrases in our language such as “Nch’u7mut” – Together as one, one heart one mind, or “Chenchenstway” – Helping one another, uplifting one another, working together.
These morals are and should be upheld and spread across all communities in our nation by each and everyone of us we as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people have always and should continue to live as one.” – Calvin Charlie-Dawson, Artist
2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion Initiative Community Advisory Group
The 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Advisory Group (CAG) is advisory in nature and meets monthly. The CAG
- Assists in providing advice regarding community needs and celebrating our community
- Understanding the unique cultural, health, and social needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
- Identifying and celebrating contributions by 2SLGBTQIA+ Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
- Advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and ensuring the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and Squamish Nation staff are being met
Members and community members were selected to represent different demographics including on- and off-reserve, various age groups, and people identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+ or allies.
| Ancestral Name | First Name | Last Name | Pronouns | Elder, adult, youth |
| Beatrix | Natrall | they/them | Youth | |
| Uxwáluút | Jessica | Natrall | she/her | Adult |
| Tl’iyaktn | Joseph | Lizee | Elder | |
| Sialtinot | Reeva | Billy | she/they | Youth |
| Tessa | Antone | she/her | Youth | |
| ŚW̱,XELOSELWET | Tiffany | Joseph | she/her | Adult |
| P’eláḵwiya | Victoria | Michels | jr Elder |
Project Progress
- Holding regular Community Advisory Group meetings since November 2022
- Engaging community members at events including Squamish Nation Pride, Salmon Festival, and Squamish Nation open houses
- Worked with Calvin Charlie-Dawson to design a logo that captures the essence and the intent of the 2SLGBTQIA+ initiative
- Conducted a consultation process with an online survey (March 2023) and five in-person engagement sessions (June 2023) on gender and sexual diversity.
- Obtained the community’s input on the icon to be used for the all-gender washroom signage
- Hosted a Nch’ú7mut (One Love) Blanketing Ceremony (March 2024)
If you have any questions about this project, please email twospiritinclusion@squamish.net.
The Nation engaged a total of 205 Squamish People through a community survey and 5 community engagement sessions from March to June 2023.
The purpose of the engagement was to understand the needs of 2 key groups, including:
- The unique experiences and challenges of Squamish People who are Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Agender plus additional sexual orientations and gender identities (2SLGBTQIA+) and
- General information needs of cis-het Squamish People to ensure greater inclusion of gender and sexual diversity in the Nation. Note: “Cis-het” describes someone whose is both a) cisgender (i.e., not transgender) in terms of their gender and b) heterosexual (or straight) in terms of their sexual orientation.) Another way to say this is anyone who is not 2SLGBTQIA+
Overall, there is acceptance and support of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the Squamish Nation, but there are still challenges that complicate full belonging and participation of 2SLGBTQIA+ Squamish People as part of ongoing legacies of colonialism.
Read the report
In 2020, Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Council) passed a resolution to conduct an assessment and inventory of all washrooms found across Nation-owned buildings. Following the submission of this assessment in 2022, and to continue the journey of inclusion of all 2SLGBTQIA+ Members, Council passed a resolution to convert most single-unit washrooms into all gender washrooms. Shortly after this resolution was passed, the 2SLGBTQIA+ staff working group and community working group were formed. Together, these working groups conducted extensive community engagement regarding the All Gender Washroom initiative. This engagement, combined with the Council resolution and the hard work of staff and consultants alike, has resulted in the roll-out of the all gender washroom signage in most single-unit washrooms in buildings owned by the Squamish Nation.
- Continue to engage and raise awareness during events and gatherings
- Work with the Community Advisory Group, staff and community members to address challenges and needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members
If you have any questions about this project, please email twospiritinclusion@squamish.net.