Departmental Summary

The Communications and Band Manager Services department exists to develop communications strategies and communication products that meet Squamish Nation Chiefs and Council and Administration communication needs, and to provide assistance to individuals and the community in a host of emergency and non-emergency capacities.

Mission Statement

The Communications and Band Manager Services team strives for fairness, quality of service, and efficient delivery of services to Squamish Nation Membership and visitors (including all other departments in our organization).

Purpose

The purpose of the Communications and Band Manager Services department is: to create, develop, and implement communications strategies and plans; review and research emergency services; coordinate community events; and support Tribal Marine Resources.

Department Update

Reception

Front line workers receive and direct approximately 200 incoming calls per day, and greet all visitors at the main office.

Photocopy Room Services

The Photocopy room provides support and/or guidance for document production.  Staff are responsible for regular mail-outs on-reserve and deliver off-reserve information materials. We can produce booklets and other publications (up to 80 pgs) that combine colour and black/white pages.  New technology allows us to improve our overall workflow and faster turn-around times for material such as newsletters, funeral pamphlets, Community Information Session booklets, directories, reports and census data.  Producing material in-house significantly reduces our costs.

Some of the projects that we have produced over the last year include:

• Design and Production of the new Health Journals, under direction from Yuustway Health Services
• Awards and Certificates for our Health and Safety Program
• Digital Billboard artwork for our Health and Safety Week activities, as well as billboards for Squamish Nation operated businesses and several community organizations.
• Flyers, cards and other notices for Yuustway Health Services
• Design and Production of the Community Information Sessions Booklet(s).

Emergency Services

Emergency Services is a resource for Squamish Nation Members seeking crisis intervention, consultation, guidance and financial support.  Our Emergency Service Officers provide support for emergency funding; during this process they collect and review information to ensure all options are available to Squamish Nation Members.  The team works with other departments, organizations and agencies to ensure Squamish Nation Members are able to access all services and resources available.

Emergency Services provides financial assistance to Elders on reserve for hydro, gas and new home furnishings.

Critical Intervention Training has been provided for the front line workers. This training provides the tools to assist individual in a crisis situation to restore balance and peace to their lives.

Event Services

Our staff works closely with other departments or task groups to coordinate community-wide social events and meetings on a year-round basis.  The planning and coordination of these events requires a high degree of creativity, determination and attention to detail.

Life Celebrations:

• Funeral Arrangements & Memorials

Annual Events:

• Amalgamation Days , Christmas Community Food Hamper, Coho Festival, Food Fish, Klahowya Village – Squamish Days, Pow-Wow, Remembrance Day Services (Squamish Valley, North Vancouver, Aboriginal Vets), Squamish Nation Christmas Staff Party, War Canoe Races

Recent Non-Annual Events:

• 2012 Diabetes Conference: “Health, Education, Culture and Exercise” with Yuustway Health Services on June 14-15, 2012
• Protect the Salish Sea Canoe Journey and signing ceremony– September 1, 2012 – event jointly hosted with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation to work collaboratively to stop the proposed expansion of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline and increased oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea.
• Protecting Squamish Nation Traditional Territory Signing Ceremony -On February 16, 2012, The Squamish Nation, Province of British Columbia and BC Parks signed the Este-tilwilh/Sigurd Creek Conservancy Management Plan and the Brackendale Eagles Park, Baynes Island Ecological Reserve and Tantalus Park Management Plan.
• Save the Salish Sea Concert – September 2, 2012, jointly hosted with the Wilderness Committee and Tanker Free BC
• Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre Celebrations
• Cultural Journey Phase II Completion Ceremony – June 5, 2012
• “Spirit Within Festival: Celebrate Culture, Celebrate Life,” September 28 – 30, 2012
• Other Squamish, Vancouver and North Vancouver community events

Community Meetings, Elections & Referendums:

• General Meetings – 4 per year
• Community Meetings – (3 meetings according to area’s)
• Capilano, Eslha7an & Seymour, Squamish Valley
• Community Information Sessions 2012
• October 22 (TH)
• October 23 (CJMC)
• Information Meetings
• Designation Vote (IR # 1 & IR #5)
• Financials (CJMC & TH)
• Independent Assessment Process (IAP) re Residential School Survivors (ELC)
• Kinder Morgan (CJMC & TH)
• Membership Codes (CJMC & TH)
• Sea-to-Sky Gondola (CJMC & TH)
• Trust (CJMC & TH)
• Wills and Estates Workshop (CJMC & TH)
• Squamish Nation Elections (Council & Band Manager)
• Every 4 years – next election scheduled – December 2013
• Referendums (per mandate)
• Designation Vote (IR # 1 & IR #5)

Donations:

• Longhouse
• Wood, paper products, food fish and food for opening and closing
• Arts and Crafts to various functions and organizations
• Paper products for memorials and community functions

Tribal Marine Resources

Tribal Marine Resources serves to preserve and protect existing salmon stocks and marine resources belonging to the Squamish Nation. As part of that process, members and non-members are educated about key fishery issues to help ensure that our salmon stock and other forms of seafood are sustained for future generations.  The Fisheries Guardian Program monitors and patrols fishing on the Capilano and Squamish rivers.

The 2012 Food Fish Sockeye Salmon stock was very low.  In keeping with our tradition, we take care of our elders; therefore, our first catch (approximately 10% of our allocation) was distributed to our elders. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we were not able to receive any additional allocations (the other 90%).  The Tribal Marine Manager is in negotiation with Department of Fisheries and Oceans to increase our annual allocation.

Tribal Marine Resources also provides marine escorts to various Squamish Nation events.

Communications

The Communications Department provides project coordination, event planning, public relations, website maintenance, writing and graphic design services to other departments.  Key services include:

• The communication and coordination of meetings, projects and other initiatives for Squamish Nation Council, departments and other affiliated organizations.
• The preparation and distribution of media releases and other formal communications materials.  We also serve as the primary contact for all media calls and help facilitate interviews with our official spokespeople (Chief Gibby Jacob, KáKeltn Siýam and Chief Ian Campbell, Xàlek/Sekyú Siýam).
• Design and production of various communication products and tools such as websites; bulletins and brochures; announcements and community notices; and newsletters. We also assist with the coordination of memorials, special community events and family gatherings.  In-house training has also been offered to many departments on graphic design and print production.