Ta na wa Téy̓wilhay̓lhem
Public Safety

Ta na wa Téy̓wilhay̓lhem is responsible for ensuring the safety and enhancing the resilience of our people and communities through prevention, education, advocacy, intervention, support, and enforcement. 

Department Contact
Phone: 604-980-4553
Email: public_safety@squamish.net 
Address: 415 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1A7
Director: Gursimran Gill

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Name:  Ta na wa Téy̓wilhay̓lhem
“Ta na wa Téy̓wilhay̓lhem” could be interpreted as “the ones protecting the descendants”.

Programs & Services

Emergency Response & Planning

The Emergency Response & Planning team focuses on increasing the Nation’s capacity to respond to emergencies like fires, flood, and heatwaves, and provides the first 72-hour emergency support services to Members affected by these types of events. The team also provides initial emergency support services to off-reserve Members. Members requiring assistance in emergencies can contact emergencyresponse@squamish.net or 604-374-2687.

Emergency Planning & Response oversees the submission and review of Event Safety Plans (Communicable Disease Prevention) which increase public safety and assist in having all events run smoothly. Organizers of community events are required to submit an Event Safety Plan a minimum of five business days before an event.

Manager: David Harrison 
Phone: 604-982-7600
Email: David_Harrison@squamish.net

Community Guardians

Community Guardians patrol Squamish Nation communities and other locations and proactively observe, record, educate, and report safety incidents. They also support emergency preparedness/prevention education, events, and outreach, and assist Members who are affected by emergencies such as fires and floods.

Public Safety Task Force

On May 19, 2022, Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Council) approved an Integrated Public Safety Action Plan, which included the creation of a task force on public safety with a mandate to investigate, seek expert advice, and make recommendations to Council.

The objectives of the Public Safety Task Force are to:

  1. Improve the enforcement of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh laws, by-laws and policies;  
  2. Develop a response strategy to critical incidents or urgent situations that could give rise to public safety concerns; and, 
  3. Develop a holistic and integrated approach and framework to preventing and reducing urgent situations that give rise to public safety concerns in the medium- to long-term.     

Email: public_safety@squamish.net

The Task Force is made up of individuals who bring extensive experience, knowledge, and expertise on public safety issues, including prevention, policing, justice, health, and harm reduction. 

The Task Force began met from December 2022 until July 2023 (5 meetings total). In the spring, a series of small focus group discussions were held and in early August, the final report with key findings and recommendations was presented to and approved by Council.

Community input and feedback on the Task Force’s preliminary findings and suggestions was gathered from a number of small focus groups in the Spring, including:

  • Elders Advisory Committee
  • Community Services Committee
  • North Shore Focus Group at CJMC
  • Technical Team (Directors and Managers whose work intersects with public safety)
  • Squamish Valley Focus Group at Totem Hall
  • Off-Reserve Focus Group