Squamish Nation Trust

Dave Jacobs

Dave, was born in 1937 to his Squamish father and mother from Nanaimo and was raised and lived in Capilano all of his 70 years. He was taken from his family at the age of six and sent to attend St. Paul’s Residential school in North Vancouver. While attending residential school he learned how to box and soon became a very gifted boxer who dominated may tournaments and won the Buckskin Gloves, Emerald Gloves, Silver Gloves and his biggest feat was at the age of 15, when he won the boxing match against a 23 year old man, bringing home the Golden Gloves.

Dave Jacobs married the lovely Andrea Williams in 1957 and are the proud parents of 5 children; Stewart, Steven, Sandra, Suzanne, and Shelley. They are blessed with 13 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren. Dave and Andrea affectionately refer to their large extended family as their very own “Tribe”.

In 1957 Dave helped to build the Capilano Longhouse with many of our past Elders, Chief Mathias Joe, August Jack, Dominic Charlie and Moses Antone. He and his wife have continued to play an instrumental role in the Longhouse since its construction, and continue to do so by helping to maintain the building before, during and after the Longhouse season.

Dave started playing Lacrosse when he was 10 and continued to do so until he was into his thirties. He and his wife ran the North Shore Senior B team for about 20 years and retired to scorekeeping and timekeeping for about 15 years. They still participate in tournaments locally but still travel to tournaments across Canada.

Dave was elected to Council in 1966-85 and served as the Chair of Council for a proud 12 years. During his service, Dave worked closely with our late Chief Joe Mathias on may issues of the Nation and held various positions, including; the Chair of the Housing Committee, Chair of Economic Development, Chair of Council, and Chair of the Alliance Tribal Council.

In 1980-81, Dave participated in the Assembly of First Nations Committee, at which Section 35 of the Constitution was established. This section was a landmark amendment, officially recognizing Aboriginal Rights and Title. He was also a very vocal member of the decision to take legal action against the Government of Canada concerning the re-sale of the Kitsilano lands (1977-2000). Owing to the commitment of many dedicated men and women like Dave, the Squamish Nation won their case against the Government and now the Nation owns ten acres of prime land in Downtown Vancouver. Throughout his career, Dave has dealt with many impressive and powerful men, including Pierre Trudeau, Bill Bennett, Jean Cretein, and Mike Harcourt.

Dave is strongly involved with the Elder’s as is his wife. They continue to help organize and venture on small trips once a year. Dave is the Chairman of the Elder’s Executive Committee and of the Elder’s Committee, and continues to be on several other Committees in our Nation.

Dave Jacobs is serving his second term for the Squamish Nation Trust, and is very proud of his position, and he works with the committee bringing his knowledge and dedication.
He is a proud Elder and eloquently submits that his primary passion and goal for becoming and remaining so involved with the Squamish Nation is to take care of the generations to come, and to continue with the teachings of the language and culture and to preserve the traditions of the Squamish people.