Squamish Nation

In 2022, we undertook a ground-breaking data collection exercise: Eslhílhkw’iws Chet – a census of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. The goal was to learn more about our people, their successes and challenges, their priorities, and other aspects of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh life. Today, we are highlighting the final data set that we gathered from Nation Members on Rights, Governance, and Administration. 📌 32% of respondents feel they can exercise their rights sometimes while just over one quarter (26%) feel they have an ability to exercise their rights often or always. 📌 69% of respondents always or often feel that they are treated with respect and dignity by staff when accessing Nation services. 📌 Social media is the preferred way to get information about the Nation for 70% of young adults (ages 20-39) and 61% of older adults (ages 40-59). Charts visualizing this data can be viewed at bit.ly/RightsAndGov The full report on this topic and more are available to read at www.squamish.net/census.

We are committed to making our communities safe spaces for everyone to live, work, and play. That’s why we are excited to introduce the newly formed Wa Ns7eyx̱ ta Úxwumixw (Community Safety Team)! Wa Ns7eyx̱ ta Úxwumixw can be interpreted as “guarding the people”. Formerly known as the Guardians, the Community Safety Team takes a proactive, visible, preventative, and trauma informed approach to support the day-to-day safety of our Members. They patrol communities to observe and report concerns, connect community members with frontline services, such as emergency support or mental health programs, and also assist with emergency preparedness, and response to natural disasters. The creation of the Community Safety Team marks the successful completion of one of the 11 recommendations made in the Public Safety Report that was shared in January. To read the full Public Safety Report, visit https://lnkd.in/gCYGKmig

In 2022, we undertook a ground-breaking data collection exercise: Eslhílhkw’iws Chet – a census of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. The aim of this exercise was to learn more about our people, their successes and challenges, their priorities, and other aspects of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh life. Today, we’d like to share some of the data we gathered from Nation Members on how they feel about cultural safety. 🔶69% of respondents agree or strongly agree that they feel a sense of dignity and belonging most places they go. 🔶65% of respondents always or often feel culturally safe most places they go. 🔶The areas where advocacy and change are needed the most to improve cultural safety are police or security (52%), courts and justice system (47%), health care (39%), and child welfare services (39%). Charts visualizing this data can be viewed at https://lnkd.in/g37Geprp. The full report on this topic is available to read at squamish.net/census. Cultural safety means feeling that one’s identity as an Indigenous person is welcomed, and that one is not subjected to racism. This particular report covers material that be sensitive for some people to read. Please reach out if you need to speak with someone. First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 KUU-US Crisis Services: 1-800-KUU-US17 (1-800-588-8717)

In 2022, we undertook a ground-breaking data collection exercise: Eslhílhkw’iws Chet – a census of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. The goal was to learn more about our people, their successes and challenges, their priorities, and other aspects of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh life. Today, we want to share some of the information we gathered from Nation Members on two topics: Health & Wellness, and Jobs, Income & Schooling. 📌 A majority (82%) of respondents are quite or somewhat happy most days of their life. 📌 To help improve their health and wellness, respondents most want support for traditional medicine (39%), followed by lifestyle changes (35%), land and water-based healing (33%), cultural and spiritual services (31%), and mental and emotional health services (29%). 📌 Most respondents exercise regularly, and 58% of respondents never drink alcohol, smoke tobacco (77%), use cannabis (56%), or vape (85%). 📌 Most respondents are employed (67%), are working full-time (75%), and one in ten (11%) are self-employed. 📌 About half (47%) of respondents have finished some form of post-secondary or trades training, and 41% have completed high school or an equivalent. Charts visualizing Health & Wellness data can be found at https://lnkd.in/gZvmBeEy while Jobs, Income and Schooling charts can be viewed at https://lnkd.in/gqx9PnUX The full report on these topics and more are available to read at squamish.net/census.

⭐ 🎥 kwi hem̓í eḵ’ stélmexw á7aw̓t tl’a nímalh (The Future of Our Nation): Kwii Gee Iiwans (Seraphine) Our enduring traditions and our resilient spirit live on with our youth, our future generations. Every Friday, we feature some of these inspiring youth and showcase their dedication to carrying our traditions forward. Huy chexw a (thank you) Kwii Gee Iiwans (Seraphine) for sharing how you practice the tradition of a sch’ech’ew̓at tl’as wa xwúkxwstas ta spen̓em (very skilled in using plants/Land Based Educator) Thank you for tuning in every week over the past two months as we highlighted some of the dedicated Sḵwx̱wú7mesh youth who are dedicated to carrying our traditions forward. If you missed any of the spotlights, check them out at https://lnkd.in/gxFq4iFe #FutureOfOurNation

Are you ready for a meaningful new career opportunity? We're looking for dedicated professionals to join our team and support the strategic growth of our organization. Current openings include: • Executive Administrator, Real Estate & Development • Information Systems Lead – HCM, ERP Application Support • Senior Accountant • Director, Infrastructure To learn more and apply, visit: www.nchkay.com/careers

⭐ 🎥 kwi hem̓í eḵ’ stélmexw á7aw̓t tl’a nímalh (The Future of Our Nation): Simone Our enduring traditions and our resilient spirit live on with our youth, our future generations. Every Friday, we feature some of these inspiring youth and showcase their dedication to carrying our traditions forward. Huy chexw a (thank you) Simone for sharing how you practice the tradition of wa ḵw’iyílsh (dancing). #FutureOfOurNation Huy chexw a to Alroy Baker & Mabel Nahanee for sharing your voices and song.

In 2022, we undertook a ground-breaking data collection exercise: Eslhílhkw’iws Chet – a census of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. The goal was to learn more about our people, their successes and challenges, their priorities, and other aspects of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh life. 🟠Today, we want to share some of the information we gathered from Nation Members on Identity, Culture, and Language 🙋. 📌 Nearly 80% of respondents are able to spend time engaged in culture and language activities monthly. 📌 More than 90% of respondents are proud of their identity, close to 90% feel good about their identity, and a strong majority (69%) feel a sense of belonging with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw 📌 There are not many Eslhílhkw’iws Chet respondents who are fluent in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim and only 8% reported being somewhat fluent 📌 More than half of respondents sometimes or often eat traditional foods (67%), participate in ceremonies (55%), and use traditional medicines (52%). Charts visualizing identity, culture, and language data can be viewed at https://lnkd.in/gTH7-YRW The full report on this topic is available to read at squamish.net/census.

⭐ 🎥 kwi hem̓í eḵ’ stélmexw á7aw̓t tl’a nímalh (The Future of Our Nation): Ben Our enduring traditions and our resilient spirit live on with our youth, our future generations. Every Friday, we feature some of these inspiring youth and showcase their dedication to carrying our traditions forward. Huy chexw a (thank you) Ben for sharing how you practice the tradition of k’éxwa7 (lacrosse). #FutureOfOurNation

⭐ 🎥 kwi hem̓í eḵ’ stélmexw á7aw̓t tl’a nímalh (The Future of Our Nation): Jasmine Our enduring traditions and our resilient spirit live on with our youth, our future generations. Every Friday, we feature some of these inspiring youth and showcase their dedication to carrying our traditions forward. Huy chexw a (thank you) Jasmine for sharing how you practice the tradition of wa lhen̓t (weaving). #FutureOfOurNation