Squamish Nation Trust

Joanne Nahanee

Joanne Nahanee is married to Jason Nahanee. They have six children: Zalia, Ray, Nathan, Marie, Jessica and Lisa. They have 10 grandchildren ages from newborn (Joachin born on January 8, 2008) to 10 years old. She is the daughter of Norman and Mildred Natrall. She has three sisters: Dianne, Lorraine and Fay. She also has many nieces and nephews.

Joanne and Jason have lived on Mission Reserve for majority of their lives. They have also both been involved in many Squamish Nation Committees such as: Membership / Membership Appeals Committee, Housing Appeals Committee, Lands Management Code Committee, and Economic Development Committee. They both are strongly committed to making valuable, positive contributions to the Squamish Nation.

Joanne is presently the Chair of the Squamish Nation Trust. She has served as a trustee since the beginning in 2000. She has served four terms as a Nation Trustee. She is very dedicated and committed to fulfilling her duties as a trustee.

Joanne has a law degree from the University of Ottawa and a Criminology Diploma from Douglas College. She has also taken numerous employment-related workshops and conferences throughout her employment. She believes that she has done what the elders had told her when she was young – get an education and help the Squamish Nation.

Joanne presently works at Health Canada as a Program Consultant for the Addictions Program. She manages the National Native Alcohol and Drug Program (NNADAP). She manages funding for BC’s 11 native alcohol and drug treatment centers. She also manages funding for non-NNADAP treatment services for status Indians. Joanne’s work also enables her to plan, develop and coordinate training for treatment center workers and alcohol and drug community-based workers. Overall, Joanne manages approximately $8 million dollars in the NNADAP. She has also worked in Health Canada’s tobacco program, as well as, assisted in the Indian Residential School Mental Health Support Program.

Joanne also has a number of hobbies: knitting, sewing, beading, cedar weaving, Salish weaving and she has also just learned how to crochet. She has made numerous items and she has mostly given them away as gifts at Christmas and birthdays. Joanne also makes items for give-aways at ceremonies.

Joanne is a firm supporter of the Squamish Nation culture. She has attended many cultural events such as: name giving, weddings, lacrosse games, canoe journeys, canoe races, pow wows, longhouse events, etc. Joanne’s paternal grandfather – Andy Natrall was very dedicated in preserving the Squamish Nation language and culture. Joanne remembers hearing him speak the language and sing songs. She also believes that the Squamish Nation history and culture are very important in what we do today. We must not forget that our Squamish Nation ancestors have taught us to always think about the future generations of the Squamish Nation and this is what Joanne keeps in mind in her role and duties as a Squamish Nation Trustee.