Policies

Budget & Planning Policy

The Budget & Planning Policy establishes a robust set of processes, responsibilities, and budgeting requirements that demand detailed analysis, planning, and justification for all spending within the Nation.

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Council Governance Policy

The Governance Policy provides a comprehensive framework that formalizes Council members’ individual and collective roles, responsibilities, and activities to ensure the effective, accountable and transparent governance of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).

Cultural Cedar Tree Policy

The Cultural Cedar Tree Policy will guide the intended outcomes of the Cultural Cedar Tree Program, which provides cultural support to Members through the donation of cedar trees/logs and to continue to invest in sacred language/culture, history, and the ancient professions of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw (Squamish People).

The policy outlines the processes for the successful acquisition and distribution of cedars to Members and identifies the key roles and responsibilities in administering the program.

Cultural Grants Policy

The Cultural Grants Policy guides the management of a cultural grants program for Members to access financial support for cultural projects or events that primarily benefit Nation Members and take place in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw territory.

Elementary - Secondary (K-12) Policy

The K-12 Policy informs Members about the K-12 education services and supports available through the Ta7lnew̓ás (Education, Employment & Training) department and how to access them. It is based on the following principles:

Enhance the educational outcomes for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw students.

Support Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw students with learning disabilities or special needs.

Promote the overall well-being of students.

Ensure fairness, equality and transparency.

Housing Policy

The Housing Policy outlines policies governing on-reserve housing for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. It is based on the following principles:

That Members be provided assistance in the provision of their basic housing needs on-reserve.
That continuous efforts be made to achieve steady improvements in the quality of living on-reserve.
That the Nation’s housing program be administered in a cost-effective, service-orientated and accountable manner.
That all Members be treated in a fair and equal manner in the distribution of both residences and lots.
That the administrative infrastructure be separated from the political governance of the Nation.

Intestate Policy

The Intestate Policy sets out policies regarding the transmission of interests in custom lots from the estates of Members of the Nation who have passed away without a will.

Post-Secondary Education Policy

The Post-Secondary Education Policy informs Members about the services and supports for post-secondary education available through the Ta7lnew̓ás (Education, Employment & Training) department. It is based on the following principles:

Enhance educational outcomes for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw adult learners.
Assist with Member access, retention and completion of post-secondary studies.
Ensure fairness, equality and transparency.
Support as many eligible students as possible, pending budget availability.

Protocol Policy

Protocol is the official procedure or system of rules governing government affairs, community, or diplomatic occasions. In general, protocol represents the recognized and generally accepted system of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh courtesy by non-Sḵwx̱wú7mesh governments, businesses, and other partners. The Protocol Policy guides how, why, where, and when to use communications and information-sharing channels with businesses, the government, and other partners and responds to requests for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh representation in the broader community.

Rights & Title Ancestral Remains Interim Policy for External Stakeholders

The Ancestral Remains Interim Policy for External Stakeholders provides direction on steps to be taken in the event that suspected human remains are encountered on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw territory. It is a supplementary and supporting document to the Heritage Policy.

Rights & Title Department Interim Policy Framework

The Rights & Title Interim Policy Framework provides clear guidance and direction to staff within the Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ (Rights & Title) department on roles, practices, procedures, expectations and other policy matters.

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Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim Policy

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim Policy is one component of the Nation’s language revitalization plan and is intended to:

Guide, provide for, and protect the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim.
Provide the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s vision for good governance and planning for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim.
Implement best practices in language revitalization and maintenance to ensure
efficient and impactful revitalization efforts.

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Heritage Policy

The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Heritage Policy aligns with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values, beliefs, and traditions, to:

Protect, manage, and preserve Sḵwx̱wú7mesh heritage in its varied forms, tangible and intangible.
Work with other individuals, institutions, and organizations in regards to the Nation’s cultural heritage.
Protect, preserve, and sustain Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw cultural integrity regarding the spiritual world, our modern-day community, and our ancestors.
Through respect, sustain the cultural integrity of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural knowledge, objects, and sites.
Advance and promote information about Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw cultural heritage.
Sustain continuity from our ancestors to the present day by maintaining our cultural traditions and protocols.
Advance Sḵwx̱wú7mesh cultural revitalization.

Sport & Recreation Grants Policy

The Sports & Recreation Grants Policy guides the management of a sports grants program for Nation Members to access financial support for their athletic endeavours.

Ticket Lottery Policy

This policy defines the broad requirements and responsibilities for the management of the Nation’s ticket lottery to ensure that access to tickets is managed in a fair and transparent manner and all interested Members have an opportunity to enter.

Whistleblower Policy

The Whistleblower Policy sets out guidelines for the reporting and investigation of serious misconduct within the Nation where there are no procedures in place for doing so, and provides protection from retaliation to those who report serious misconduct in good faith (“whistleblowing”).

Report serious misconduct here