Ayás Mén̓men
Child & Family Services
Wellness Team
Ayás Chap – Peace to All
Phone: 604-985-4111
Email: amm_wellness@squamish.net
The Ayás Mén̓men Wellness team offers a range of therapeutic services to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community members – this includes traditional and cultural wellness supports, counselling for children, parents and families, therapeutic and wellness groups, and community events that promote healing and wellness. Our work is grounded in trauma-informed and inclusive practices, and we utilize Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values and teachings in our work. We provide a confidential and judgement free space for children, youth, and families to work through challenges while exploring their unique strengths.
A variety of supports with those caring for children are offered to provide intensive community and in-home support.
- Parent coaching and counselling.
- Support with housing, food security, finances, budgeting, medical needs, and life skill development.
- Creating a wellness and self-care plan for adults that are caring for children.
- Specialized parent education (one on one or in a group setting).
- Education around healthy relationships and boundaries.
- Creating connections to community and cultural supports.
- Connecting with other Nation departments and community resources.
- Services for those who want to make sense of their kids, especially when dealing with emotional, behavioral and/or learning issues.
- Parent support groups including Gathering our Medicine, Circle of Security, and PC-Care.
Therapy is a space where community members can come to be heard and to process experiences that are impacting their life.
We offer different types of therapy for healing and growing including arts-based, expressive, EMDR, play, talk, nature and body-oriented.
Children and youth can talk, play music, create art, be on the land, and connect with their spirit and culture.
Family therapy includes all family members in the session.
This support helps family members understand each other better with a goal of increasing support and communication while working through difficult or historical situations.
We believe family therapy is best for families who are wanting to better communicate and understand each other.
The Wellness team offers therapeutic groups where children, youth, and parents can join with other community members and receive support together.
Groups are led by a member of the Wellness team and are formed around a shared issue such as processing feelings and emotions, learning new skills, supporting overall wellness and parenting/caring for children.
These groups include:
- Gathering our Medicine
- Circle of Security
- sx̱el̓t shíshi7ch (Art Circle)
- shíshi7ch tl’a siw̓í7ḵa (Men’s Circle)
- Culture is Healing (a wellness group for young adults to connect with spirituality and traditional ways of healing and taking care of yourself)
- LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Wellness Group (coming in 2024)
Information about programming is also available on the department Facebook page.
Nation Updates
Squamish Nation Statement on defeat of the Final Settlement Agreement
The Squamish Nation is celebrating the defeat of the draft Final Settlement Agreement on the Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program.
Our Generational Plan is being unveiled
On Saturday, Nov. 2 a special event is planned for the unveiling of Úxwumixw 2050. The event is an opportunity to share and celebrate Úxwumixw 2050: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Generational Plan.
