Yúusnew̓as

Yúusnew̓as is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community-led project to research and document the residential school experiences of our people.

Project Video Updates Wellness Guide
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Wellness & Healing Supports | Truth Telling
Project Communications

Yúusnew̓as is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh community-led project to research and document the residential school experiences of our people. Our intent is to provide a safe space to listen to our truth-tellers and to take care of one another with cultural, emotional, and spiritual wellness support. This process has our ancestors, truth-tellers, and community at its heart as we highlight pathways of healing for today and generations to come.

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw is the lead community for the archival and land-based research into the former St. Paul’s Residential School. The site is located on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory in North Vancouver and we are working closely with səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band. Other communities also attended this school while it was open from 1899 until it was shut down in 1959.

The Yúusnew̓as Project has been set up to ensure work is done in a good way with our culture and protocols as the foundation. Click here to view a governance diagram. Knowledge keepers and those with traditional knowledge lead the project and – before delivery of activities, events, or ceremony – check the work. The Steering Committee guides the project while the Project Team actively works across multiple areas including health and wellness support, recording stories, archive and land-based research, and cultural practices.

Those working on the project can be reached at yuusnewas@squamish.net.

Steering Committee Members

Peter Baker, Project Sponsor, Nexwníw̓mamin Ch’áwch’aw Territory & Culture Services, Executive Director

Joy Joseph-Mccullough, Ta na wa Ch’áwat ta Sx̱wéx̱wel   
 Squamish Valley Operations

Kelley McReynolds, Nexwnínlhewá7nem Ch’áwch’aw People Services, Executive Director

Sempulyan Gonzales, Council Member

Bianca Cameron, Band Manager

Michael Ford, Communications & Engagement Department

Marie Natrall, Member Services

Project Administration

Ashley Whitworth, Project Director

Aaron Bruce, Legal Services

James Bradshaw, Project Manager

Harris Beeman, Executive Assistant

Cultural Leads and Community Liaisons

Adina Williams

Leslhá7lhamaat Elizabeth Ross

Project Specialists 

  • Nick Weber – Lead Archaeologist
  • Yumks, Dr. Rudy Reimer, Archaeologist
  • Andrew Latimer, Archaeologist
  • Josh Murphy, Archaeologist
  • Dr. Ryan Lehto, Forensics
  • Dr. Sean Carlton, University of Manitoba
  • Lillian Shams-Amiri, Land-based support
  • Hannah Ruston – Lead Wellness
  • Mackenzie Gomez – Lead Health
  • Justin Malialis – Project & Event Specialist
  • Reeva Billy, Community Support
  • Natasha Amos, Community Support
  • Roan Reimer – Truth-Teller Specialist
  • Jackson Campbell – Lead Researcher
  • Damon Hawkes – Researcher, transcriber
  • Ashley Noyes – Archivist
  • Jordan Dawson – Researcher
  • Arthur Macapagal, External Relations
  • Samantha Falk, Communications
  • David Malysheff, Videographer
  • Jessica Blois – Health Support
  • Alroy Baker – Uncle Bucky, community support
  • Judy & Jane – Wellness Wednesdays
  • Aggie & Slomish – Wellness Wednesdays
  • Willie Nahanee, Community Support
  • Laura Moberg, Archive Researcher
  • Carmanah Olbrich, Archive Researcher
  • Jack Saben, Archive Researcher

Former Participants 

  • Katia Giguere, Project Manager
  • Grace Czirjak, Executive Assistant
  • Carla George, Community Liaison
  • Kevin Rivers, Community Liaison
  • Genevieve Wick – Lead Researcher, 2021 – 2023
  • Karen Ng – Archivist

Yúusnew̓as Project Artwork

The word yúusnew̓as was proposed by the Elders Advisory Committee for the project name as a recognition that we must take care of survivors as well as all who have been impacted by intergenerational harms.

This seven generation approach was the guiding principle for the Growth and Unity project artwork, designed by Nation artist Calvin Charlie-Dawson.

“I’m hoping this image will promote our unity and teamwork in our community towards a common good – whether it be upholding our Elders and the journey they have lived, or our new ones for a journey to come. The four heads represent us as a people, the encircling figure represents those looking over us (our ancestors), and the small floral figure in the middle is being guided and protected as we would our children and children’s children.”

Wellness & Healing Supports

wa chexw yuusténam̓ut. Take care of yourself.

Ayás Mén̓men (Child & Family Services) and Yúustway (Health & Wellness) are available to offer wellness & healing supports for Members, including traditional land-based practices. More information is available in our Wellness Guide, which was distributed to all on-reserve households in mid-July 2022. If you did not receive a copy or if you live off-reserve, please email yuusnewas@squamish.net.

You can also contact the following Project Team members for more information.

Mackenzie Gomez – Yúusnew̓as Health Lead
Phone: 604-360-3911 or 604-982-0332
Email: Mackenzie_Gomez@squamish.net

Hannah Rushton – Yúusnew̓as Wellness Lead
Phone: 778-233-4869 or 604-985-4111
Email: Hannah_Rushton@squamish.net

Truth Telling

We are ready to support those who wish to create their legacy of truth. These truths will assist the Project Team in their research. The oral histories will also help shape our understanding of the IRS experience as the community heals and moves forward together. Please reach out if you would like to know more or are ready to gift your truth.

Adina Williams

Email: Adina_Williams@squamish.net

Phone: 604-363-0281

Natasha Amos

Email: Natasha_Amos@squamish.net

Phone: 236-333-6993

 

Project Communications

We are committed to keeping community informed about the Yúusnew̓as Project. Click here for video updates or read messages that have been sent to community below.

2025 

Ta syétsem tl’a Sḵwx̱wu7meshúlh síiyúxwa cht (Real Stories of our Squamish Elders) 

A community event – Ta syétsem tl’a Sḵwx̱wu7meshúlh síiyúxwa cht (Real Stories of our Squamish Elders) – will be held at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre on Saturday, September 13th 12pm-5pm, to share an update on the work that has been done to date.  

This update will touch on the four areas of the Project: Ground Investigation, Archival Research, Health & Wellness, and the recordings of syets (Truths) from Survivors. The update will also include the work that has been done with over levels of government as well as the Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver. 

Agenda: 

12pm Doors Open 

12:45 Opening Remarks 

12:55 Elder Prayer 

1pm Shared Meal 

2:15pm Introduction Video 

2:30pm Presentation 

3:15pm Q&A With Experts 

4pm Cultural Work 

5pm Conclusion 

We wanted to share a brief update on the Yúusnew̓as Project. As we wait for the results from the second phase of land-based work that was done at the former St. Paul’s Indian Residential School last summer, we have introduced several new wellness services.

The Yúusnew̓as family has held two very successful Elders events, one at the Elders Centre in X̱wemelch’stn (Capilano), and another at Totem Hall in the Squamish Valley. Elders were able to take part in services like hairdressing, massage, cedar and feather brushing and more, as well as enjoy a catered lunch. Yúusnew̓as has now also established Wellness Wednesdays every two weeks in the Squamish Valley featuring feather brushing.

The Yúusnew̓as Project is also introducing a new, permanent wellness resource for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw — The Yúusnew̓as Yurt.

The Yurt was built with loving hands by the Yúusnew̓as family and proudly sits near the Elders Centre and Shaker Church at X̱wemelch’stn (Capilano). The Yúusnew̓as Yurt will be a dedicated place for truth telling, sharing circles, and other wellness supports for community. Yúusnew̓as would love to hear from community with suggestions for additional ways the yurt can support the Nation. Please reach out and connect with us: yuusnewas@squamish.net