Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights & Title) has successfully negotiated with the Province of BC for additional protections for our lands and waters after many years of work.
To commemorate this historic agreement, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) held a signing ceremony for the Land Use Agreement at the Sea–to–Sky Gondola on Thursday, June 26.
This historic land agreement will guide forest stewardship and protect our cultural sites, areas that are significant to our community (training and other cultural areas), and areas for fish and other wildlife in our Squamish Nation Territory. There will be protections for thousands of hectares of land, including 33 new Síiyaḿiin (cultural sites), Sneẃiyelh (cultural training areas), areas for fish and wildlife monitoring, and establishing 6 Special Cultural Management Areas.
“This agreement is a major step forward in asserting our Nation’s role as stewards of our lands,” says Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, Councillor and Elected Spokesperson, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). “This will ensure our cultural sites and key environmental areas are protected for future generations. These have been our lands for thousands of years, and the fact they are now back under our direct control provides a greater sense of security for our People, and a strong optimism for our future.”
The agreement will increase protection for riparian ecosystems (land next to rivers, streams and lakes), wetland ecosystems, and areas of old cedar forests. It aims to address the growing impacts of climate change while protecting fish streams, culturally important plants, and food supply.
This legally binding agreement follows our Nation’s land use planning vision for Squamish Territory (X̱ay Temíxw) and asserts Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s position as the decision-maker for our Territory and the forests within it.