Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓
Rights & Title
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) holds Indigenous Rights & Title in lands and waters within its territory, which are recognized and affirmed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, DRIPA within the Province of British Columbia and in the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Nation has a long-standing and sacred responsibility to the lands and waters of its territory, which covers more than 670,000 hectares in what is now known as British Columbia, Canada.
Since Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw has never signed a treaty with the Crown, or otherwise ceded its lands or rights, the department exists to protect, preserve, and manage the Nation’s rights and title interests, including all of its lands, resources, and cultural heritage.
Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓ Reception
Phone: 604-982-0510
Email: consultation_rightsandtitle@squamish.net
Address: 415 West Esplanade, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1A7
Director: Peter Baker
For development proposals and referrals, visit SquamishConnect.com
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Name: Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓
“Ta na wa Yúus ta Stitúyntsam̓” could be interpreted as “The Ones Who Take Care of What Was Handed Down or What Will Be Handed Down”. This name refers to Stítwayntm – an inheritance, a legacy, an heirloom – but in a uniquely Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sense that could refer to our rights and title given to us by our ancestors, and to be passed on to our future generations.
Programs & Services
The Crown has a legal duty to consult the Nation in respect of proposed decisions that have the potential to adversely affect the Nation’s rights and title interests. Companies and other non-government entities often undertake their own consultation processes. The Rights & Title Department receives a significant volume of referrals from government and industry actors regarding these proposed projects, initiatives, and decisions on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw territory. These referrals are submitted to the Nation through the online portal after which the technical team evaluates each referral and engages in consultation using the lenses of archeology, culture, and the environment.
The following key objectives underlie the department’s work in protecting and advancing the Nation’s Rights & Title interests:
- Developing and advancing the Nation’s land and marine use vision.
- Protection and management of the lands and waters of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw territory in a manner consistent with the Nation’s traditional and cultural use needs.
- Assertion of the Nation’s role as a distinct level of government in its territory with authority to govern and manage land use.
- Improvement of the Nation’s cultural prominence within its territory, including language and naming prominence.
- Engagement with membership to keep them involved and informed.
- Revitalization of the connection between Members and youth and the Nation’s language, culture, tradition, and territory.
- Improvement of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw representation in key industries in the Sea to Sky corridor, including commercial recreation and tourism.
- Securing quality training and employment opportunities for Members and youth.
Programs
The Programs Branch works with and supports all of the Department’s branches. This branch is responsible for referral management, budgetary management, intergovernmental relations, negotiations, agreement monitoring, and enforcement.
Manager: Arthur Macapagal
Phone: 604-982-0285
Email: Arthur_Macapagal@squamish.net
Environment
The Environment Branch is responsible for Natural Resources Management, Environmental Monitoring, Fieldwork Analysis, and Environmental Policy Development.
Manager: Kathleen Edwards
Phone: 604-998-0273
Email: Kathleen_Edwards@squamish.net
Archeology
The Archeology branch is responsible for archeology permitting, fieldwork analysis, archeology monitoring, and archeology policy development.
Manager: Nick Weber
Email: Nick_Weber@squamish.net
Culture
The Culture branch is responsible for fieldwork analysis, cultural compliance, committee and community representation, cultural policy analysis and development, and interface with the Ta na wa Ns7éyx̱nitm ta Snew̓íyelh (Language & Cultural Affairs) department.
Manager: Elizabeth Ross
Phone: 604-998-0292
Email: Elizabeth_Ross@squamish.net
