Ta na wa Ns7éyx̱nitm ta Snew̓íyelh
Language & Cultural Affairs
Culture
Manager: Lorraine Louis
Email: Lorraine_Louis@squamish.net
Team Lead: Lacey Baker
Email: Lacey_Baker@squamish.net
Phone: 604-990-3061
The Culture team of Ta na wa Ns7éyx̱nitm ta Snew̓íyelh works to provide opportunities for Nation Members of all ages to learn about our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ways via hands on experience and cultural sharing sessions from our Knowledge Keepers. A Squamish Nation Advisory Committee, comprised of Nation Members who are knowledgeable in our language and culture, supports this work.
A key function of this team is to respond to enquiries received by the Nation for land and territory acknowledgements, support for opening and closing prayers/ceremony for events, as well as requests for drummers, singers, or cultural facilitators. They also work with museums on exhibit and repatriation opportunities, engage in and support artist opportunities, and support cultural ceremonies both internally and externally.
Tel̓tel̓númut Cht is a virtual program offered to Nation Members. Each week a special guest presents on a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh subject. Each session ends with time for questions and answers and a chance for participants to win a door prize.
This program runs on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm on Zoom from September to June. To register, email language_culture@squamish.net.
The objective of this grant is to provide support to the Squamish People for cultural projects or events that:
- Grow the cultural ways of being of the Squamish People.
- Contribute to connecting Squamish People to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh culture and/or language.
- Advance the understanding, awareness, or participation in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural practices and/or language learning.
- Express Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural and/or linguistic identity.
- Provide opportunities for contemporary and/or traditional cultural expressions.
Applicants must be a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Member and be in good standing with the Nation. Calls for applications go out twice per year and Members are eligible for funding once per year.
Cultural grants are provided in three categories (individual, group, and major event) and funding is subject to the availability of funds in the annual budget. Please note that applicants are not guaranteed to receive the amount applied for.
We receive multiple requests for Knowledge Keepers to facilitate, perform, and provide welcomes/opening prayers. This can include Nation events as well as external opportunities. If you would like to be added to our on-call list, Members can request a form by emailing language_culture@squamish.net.
Nation Updates
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw History Book For Sale
We are excited to announce that tiná7 cht ti temíxw (We Come From This Land) will be published in early January 2024! The book is intended to be a snapshot – a collection of some of the multi-faceted stories and histories that are held by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People and a starting point for future conversations.
Squamish Strong Protocol Agreements Signed
As a part of the celebrations of the 100-year anniversary of the Amalgamation of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, we are pleased to announce the Nation is signing a Wa Iyí̓m ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Protocol Agreement with the City of North Vancouver, District of Squamish, and the City of Vancouver respectively.
New Squamish Nation Residential Tenancy Regulations for Sen̓áḵw
Today, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw announces that the protections in the British Columbia Residential Tenancy Act (BCRTA) will be in place for the Sen̓áḵw development and for future on-reserve housing developments.