Squamish Nation to mark 100 years since watershed political merger

The Squamish Nation is marking 100 years since 16 of its villages amalgamated to form one political body.

With Indigenous History Month events taking place across the country this month, the B.C. First Nation is planning its own celebrationsleading up to next month'sAmalgamation Day Festival on July 23.

"Amalgamation Day is a huge day for Skwxwu7mesh uxwumixw, which is our Squamish Nation community," said Sxwxwtn(Wilson Williams), an electedcouncillor and spokesperson for Squamish Nation. "Look at the time 100 years ago with the government coming in and taking lands and resources away from our people.

"Amalgamation provided that stability and hope.This unity we talk of really protected our culture, our traditions, our language, and our oral history ... Without amalgamation, I swear that a lot of families would have had probably died off."

On July 23, 1923, more than 40 Squamish chiefs and delegatesgathered atthe Department of Indian Affairs office in Vancouver. Some in attendance like Sxwxwtn's great-grandfather had a legal educationbut were barred from practising law.

That day, the chiefs and delegatesgot the federal government to recognize their merger into what today is known as the Squamish Nation.

"I grew up listening and hearing stories about amalgamation from my great-grandfather," said
Syeta'xtn (Chris Lewis), director of Indigenous initiatives and reconciliation for Simon Fraser University.

"I always see Squamish as an example of how you can rebuild your nationhood."

The plans had been discussed for at least a decade, he explained.

Just 10years earlier, police forciblyremoved the Squamish residents of Senw, located in the current-day Kitsilano neighbourhood, burning their homes to the ground. Government policies at the time continued to shrink reserve lands for many Indigenous communities.

38:52E5: A Village Burned

In 1913, the Squamish village of Senw is burned and residents are barged away to make room for the developing city of Vancouver. Eventually, a slice of that land is reclaimed, and now, the Squamish Nation is developing a mega-project. Angela investigates what land back means in the heart of the city, and why its making some white people upset.

So Squamish leaders wrote a letter petitioningDuncan Campbell Scott, thehead of the Department of Indian Affairs, to recognize their merger.

According to the letter's authors, amalgamationhad unanimoussupport and stemmed from the "true and sincere desire of the Squamish people for their future welfare," and to "bring about a brotherly feeling among each and every member of the Squamish people."

'Continue our hope forward for another 100 years'

Syeta'xtn said some of those who signed the letter went on to spread the message to other First Nations about the need to unite forces against Crownpolicies.

His great-grandfather was involved in the 1923 signingand went on to lead political alliances to protect Indigenous rights for decades, including the forebears to today's Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

"Many leaders from other nations throughout B.C. and Canada were inviting him to help their nations in how they protect their rights and title, and how to sustain as a people," Sxwxwtn said. "It was not only for amalgamation, but for protecting rights and titles of Indigenous people."

Today the Squamish Nation consists of 23 villages totalling an area of more than 28 square kilometres that are located across its traditional territory, which extends around the shores of the Burrard Inlet, English Bay, Indian Arm and Howe Sound, and includesparts of Metro Vancouver,Gibsons and the District of Squamish.

The First Nation plans to mark Amalgamation Day with a month of public celebrations on the North Shore in July. Events planned include live concerts, youth lacrosse games, ceremonies, and a few "surprise" announcements, Sxwxwtn said.

"It's really about coming together like we did for amalgamation," he told CBC News, "to continue our hope forward for another 100 years."