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Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Squamish Nation and District sign historic MOU for reconciliation
'We all live here. We're not going away.' Those words from Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams captured the spirit behind a new agreement between Indigenous leaders and municipal officials that aims to reshape how decisions are made in Squamish. It is another historic step toward reconciliation. On July 22, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the District of Squamish celebrated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). With Nation and District representatives arriving by canoe, transported on a flat-bed truck due to high winds that made water travel unsafe, the signing ceremony took place at Sp'akw'us Feather Park on the Squamish oceanfront. Dignitaries gathered for the occasion, Nation councillor and spokesperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford, members of both councils, District and Nation staff, and Elders, among others. MOUs are non-binding agreements between entities, like governments and Nations, that are based on moral or political commitments. They signal shared aims of working together on aligned goals. 'Today was a huge day for all of us,' said Williams in an interview with The Squamish Chief after the ceremony. 'Speaking on behalf of the Squamish Nation people—a very historic day for us. We're in a new realm of this relationship with the District of Squamish. We all live here. We're all not going away. We come to a place beyond the challenges and historical missteps, or overlooking things. We really looked at how we can move forward together, and how we could pave the way for a stronger community here, as we all live together.' The MOU between the Nation and the District outlines six priority activities that 'respond to past and ongoing injustices, while promoting a more inclusive and co-operative future,' according to a joint news release. 'These include the District's formal recognition of the impacts of colonization on the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People and a community-based truth-telling process that will culminate in a public apology.' The apology will be from the District to the Nation and one that 'acknowledges the impacts of colonization and settlement on the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People, lands and waters,' reads a release. Over the next three years, the MOU commits both governments to: The agreement also includes a commitment to pause any development on Brackendale Farmers Institute Park while the governments explore the potential transfer of this Crown land to the Nation. Hurford clarified that land back discussions are about public—not any private—lands. 'This is about public lands, and that can mean any number of things, and we're trying to figure out what that is. The way to do that is to work collaboratively with our friends at the Nation to really establish what the landscape of that looks like.' The agreement ensures continued public access to parks and green spaces while exploring co-management opportunities. In terms of access to recreation, the agreement aims to open up barrier-free access for all. In time, there is a plan to provide Sḵwx̱wú7mesh individuals with access to District recreational facilities and programs at a reduced cost. Though the MOU is not legally binding, progress will be monitored through oversight committees and council-to-council meetings. 'The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People have lived on these beautiful lands for thousands of years, and it is integral that we are recognized both as a part of its history, and as a key decision-maker in planning its future,' Williams said, in the joint release. 'The MOU is a significant step forward in ensuring both. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the District of Squamish and collaborating in meaningful ways that will make Squamish a more vibrant and inclusive place for all.' In the interview after the ceremony, Williams stressed the mutual respect established with the District. 'We're still struggling as Indigenous peoples to integrate in Western society ways of being, but we're more empowered now because we're carrying our culture so proudly that it is not hidden anymore. We're allowed to share our language, practice, ceremony, be amongst people, show it off. This reclamation and revitalization, we're doing it together,' he said. 'The synergies are uniting. And this was a big step today.' Hurford said the agreement is also an invitation to the rest of the community to join the journey to reconciliation. 'This MOU is the next important step in our journey with the Squamish Nation, and it is also an invitation to our community to work alongside us to advance reconciliation in action,' he said. 'It reflects and furthers work already happening across Squamish, builds on the 2023 Wa Iyi ́̓m ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Strong Protocol Agreement) and reaffirms our commitment to walk this path alongside Squamish Nation. This agreement is founded on trust, recognizing shared values, and working to address historical wrongs in very tangible ways to create a stronger future together for all of us.' As for next steps, public information and collaboration sessions, along with other public engagement opportunities, will take place in the coming months, 'offering space to learn, ask questions, and help shape implementation,' the release states. 'This signifies the continuation of work, and it is something that the entire community will need to educate themselves on,' Hurford said. 'It's an entire community.' This is the second historic agreement signed in Squamish in as many months. On June 26 , a signing ceremony was held at the Sea–to–Sky Gondola to mark the signing of a Land Use Agreement between the Nation and the provincial government. That agreement sees 20,000 hectares of Crown land in the Squamish area returned to the Nation. More details and opportunities to engage in this MOU process with the District and Nation will be available in the coming months. Watch both the Squamish Nation and the District's websites for more information. •Please note that this story has been corrected since it was first posted to remove Nation Chairperson Khelsilem as having attended the event. He was not in attendance. The Squamish Chief apologizes for this error. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada. Link to video: Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Upcoming pilot program opens accounting opportunities for Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Nations
Provincial organizations are helping boost accounting job opportunities for Indigenous communities with a new program. Last month, a memorandum of understanding was signed in Vancouver by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC), Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of British Columbia, MST Education and Training Society and Humanity Financial Management Inc. to develop education, mentorship and employment opportunities for an Accounts Payable Program. The new program will help unemployed or underemployed Indigenous individuals receive hands-on training and exposure in entry-level accounting jobs and other paths. The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations will be the first to pilot the new initiative. 'I think there is a recognition that we need to do more to provide education and opportunities to Indigenous peoples, and this was seen as a great entry point where there was a need for more people with skills in accounts payable,' said Lori Mathison, president and CEO of the CPABC. 'So everyone kind of just pulled together to come up with an idea of a program that could really make a difference.' CPABC is the training, governing and regulatory body for over 40,000 certified public accountant members and 6,000 candidates and students. The organization's mission is protecting the public through enforcing high professional and ethical standards in the accounting industry and contributing to advancing public policy. The Accounts Payable Program aims to encourage more Indigenous people in the accounting industry, a field they're underrepresented in. In a CPABC Indigenous strategy update from 2022 , the organization found 286 members and 53 B.C. candidates from one of their educational programs had self-identified as Indigenous. The strategy noted the numbers represent just over 0.6 per cent of total membership and less than one per cent of B.C.'s total candidate population. Since then, Mathison said that number has grown to 331 CPABC members who self-identify as Indigenous, 285 of whom are B.C. residents. Squamish Nation councillor Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) said having more Indigenous people in the finance field is a growing need. 'I think that this opportunity definitely broke some barriers and is creating pathways to collaborate,' Williams said. 'It's creating accessibility, it's strengthening our partnership, but also highlights our three nations' needs, and the openness to these entities willing to work together.' Williams said the Squamish Nation has a huge financial department, but only around 15 per cent are from the nation. That number is a 'glaring' capacity need Williams said in comparison to other departments, which have higher percentages of either Indigenous people or Squamish Nation members. 'We're hoping to carry that smoke signal home to our families, to share the story that this is an opportunity that you should endure, getting in the finance field,' he said. The program will also provide capacity development for First Nations governments, business entities and Indigenous organizations to support the needs of growing Indigenous economies, according to a press release. Former chief for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Jen Thomas said the new hands-on training programs will open new pathways for potential employment in financial fields and provide new education opportunities. 'Investing in our next seven generations is a priority for our Nation, and we greatly appreciate the support,' Thomas said in a press release. Williams said the program is a meaningful step in investing in financial careers, but also looking forward. 'We're looking at financial careers and building that financial capacity within our nations, and [there's] no better way to invest in our people and their skills, but we're investing in our future,' he said. Mathison said the program's development is currently underway, with the pilot aiming to launch next winter with its first cohort of students. Based on the results of the pilot, she said they might be able to expand the program into other areas and Indigenous communities. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
23-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Two Squamish Nation members honoured in 2025 Indigenous Business Award program
Two Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) members have scored honourable titles in the 17th annual Indigenous Business Award program run by the BC Achievement Foundation. Harold Calla is the recipient of the Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement, while (Himikala) Pam Baker's fashion company Touch of Culture won Business of the Year in the one-to-two-person enterprise category. Calla said he was stunned when he heard his name on this year's list. 'I got a phone call, actually. I was at a car dealership looking at getting my car repaired,' Calla said about how he heard the news. 'It came out of the blue for me and was a very humbling and rewarding experience.' The lifetime achiever has worn many hats throughout his life. Calla is currently the executive chair of the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), which supports 'over 370 First Nations governments in building financial systems and accessing capital markets,' according to a statement on BC Achievement's website . Calla also played a vital role in developing multiple federal legislations allowing First Nations to move away from the Indian Act, and helped form the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. He also serves on the BC Ferries and Trans Mountain Corporation boards, and previously served on the Squamish Nation council for eight years. He emphasized the successes are a result of collaborating with people over the years. But the lifetime achievement recognition also signifies something else to Calla: the importance of the Squamish Nation being recognized. 'I think it's important that our existence is recognized and that we are solution-oriented as a community and as people,' Calla said. 'We want to be able to participate in the mainstream economy and to have our Aboriginal and treaty rights recognized and do so in a way that contributes overall to the economic benefit of Canada.' The award recognition for Business of the Year also came as a surprise to Baker. 'It's exciting, my family is happy that I've been recognized,' Baker said. 'Every year I think I'm going to retire, and my mind just keeps going.' Indigenous creative fashion business Touch of Culture was founded by Baker more than 30 years ago on the Xwemelch'stn (Capilano Reserve). Since then, the fashion designer has showcased her detailed designs on clothing and accessories incorporating her Squamish, Kwakiutl and Tlingit heritage. On top of her design work, Touch of Culture uplifts others through mentorship, collaboration and cultural workshops, according to the BC Achievement Foundation's website . Baker launched the business to share her work, but also to bring more awareness to Indigenous designers. The industry has taken off since Baker began her business in 1988. 'The awareness has been really good, because now we have all of the fashion events,' Baker said. 'Before there wasn't, it was just pretty much individual designers doing their own thing. Now you have Santa Fe [Native] Fashion Week and Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. So there's a lot more coverage and awareness of First Nations designs and designers.' The business award program highlights the accomplishments of Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprise, a press release from BC Achievement Foundation states. Each year, recipients are selected by a jury after reviewing nominations sent in by the community. Angela Marston, program director for the Indigenous Business Award, said the initiative creates a platform for entrepreneurs. 'They create a platform for their businesses and their voices to be heard,' Marston said. 'What we often see is that their businesses grow significantly after receiving this award, but also they become role models and community for young people.' Since the inception of the awards in 2003, more than 230 businesses and individuals have been recognized. Recipients of the 2025 Indigenous Business Award will be recognized during a gala ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver on Nov. 5, where they will receive a certificate and medallion to celebrate their achievements. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Palestine flag removed from ‘sacred mountain' Stawamus Chief
The Squamish First Nation says a Palestine flag has been removed after it was hung on the rock face of the Stawamus Chief last week. The flag was removed by members of the Squamish Access Society on Sunday night. The First Nation had requested those responsible to come and remove the flag, calling their plea not politically motivated, but rather an ask to respect the sacred mountain. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In a statement, the Squamish Access Society said it 'was supporting the Squamish Nation in their request to have the flag removed and we were not making a political statement by our actions.' 'We want to express how deep, concerning and disrespectful it is to that connection we have to the mountain and, you know, I feel for our people today and over the past week of feeling disrespected and we want to utilise this time to be able to educate people about that deep, deep connection and sacredness that it has to our Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh people,' Wilson Williams, elected councillor and spokesperson for the Squamish Nation, told Global News.
The Independent
21-03-2025
- The Independent
8 best ski resorts in Norway for your 2025 skiing holiday
For ski lovers in Europe, you don't need to travel far and wide to reach some of the best destinations for a skiing holiday on the planet, with France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria all popular picks. However, if you fancy enjoying the beautiful combination of mountains, glaciers and fjords aplenty, Norway has a tempting travel pull when considering the top ski resorts to visit. Nordic destinations are famous for prime locations to spot the northern lights, with March to April and September to October offering you the biggest chance of a sighting. And with most ski resorts in Norway having a season stretching from late November through to April or May, your apres-ski drinks could be accompanied by this beautiful phenomenon. Skiing in Norway can also be very convenient, too. Can't make it in the winter? Check out the summer slopes in resorts like Fonna. Don't want to travel too far from the capital? Seek out Tryvann sitting right on the outskirts of Oslo. With over 173 ski resorts in Norway, we've rounded up the best. From family-friendly slopes to those with cross-country trails, night skiing and more, keep reading to get inspired for your Norway ski escape. Best Norway ski resorts 1. Myrkdalen, Voss Ski season: November–May West Norway ski resort Myrkdalen is an ideal spot for families, thanks to its selection of slopes suiting all levels. In fact, there are 22 ski trails in total, covering gentle alpine slopes for beginners and off-piste areas for cross-country skiers. Both private and group lessons are available, plus a ski rental shop. You can make the most of nine ski lifts, and passes can be booked in advance online. Myrkdalen is set in the rural mountains and here you'll see valleys, fjords and soak up the full Norwegian experience. Where to stay There's both self-catering accommodation and hotel rooms at the Myrkdalen ski resort and it's two hours from Bergen Airport. 2. Trysil, Osterdalen Ski season: December–April Trysil is the largest ski resort in Norway and boasts a whopping 69 slopes and 32 lifts. There are vast cross-country ski trails through the mountain, and you can even partake in night skiing, as some slopes are floodlit after dark. Family-friendly Trysil has children's areas, and its amenities are also at low altitude levels. The resort is in east Norway near the Swedish border, and it's located two and a half hours from Oslo. Where to stay You can choose between multiple cabins and hotels positioned near the ski slopes, and Skistar Lodge has an on-site spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. 3. Hemsedal, Hallingdal Ski season: December–May Southern Norway ski resort Hemsedal is known for its plentiful snow coverage from November to May. It boasts an impressive 51 slopes and 20 ski lifts, and there's also a designated area for kids. You can also enjoy night skiing and snowmobiling, while some lodge suites have bouldering walls. The mountain village is set in the Scandinavian Alps between Oslo and Bergen. Where to stay Skarsnuten Hotel and Spa is situated right beside the Hemsedal ski resort and is also close to the town centre, a golf course and several hiking routes. 4. Hafjell, Oyer Ski season: November–April Olympic ski resort Hafjell is 15 minutes from Lillehammer in central Norway. It offers a wide range of activities to suit different abilities, including three family areas, and the ski school has both group classes and individual coaching available. There's 50km of ski slopes and three snow parks to explore, as well as 18 lifts. Sister Olympic ski resort Kvitfjell is just 30 minutes away. Where to stay Reach the slopes by taking a connecting ski bus from Scandic Hafjell, and you can also soak up the pool and sauna at this luxury hotel. 5. Strandafjellet, Sunnmore Ski season: December–April Strandafjellet ski resort is perfectly poised to present skiers with a breathtaking view of both mountains and fjords in West Norway. The 2- slopes join a children's area and terrain park, so all skiing abilities are covered. Plus, it's worth knowing that this resort is popular for snowboarding, too. Where to stay Ten minutes from the ski centre is Dreges Hotell, which has a restaurant, pool access and a lobby bar for enjoying some apres-ski drinks. 6. Fonna, Hardanger Ski season: May–September Summer ski resort Fonna is found in the Folgefonna Glacier within Folgefonna National Park. It's 1,200 metres above sea level, offers a family-friendly alpine ski trail, and has a terrain park and cross-country routes. Plus, you can rent both skiing and snowboarding equipment to enjoy that incredible glacier view. Where to stay Hotel Ullensvang is a hotel overlooking Hardanger fjord, with views of Folgefonna Glacier. Guests can take a dip in both the indoor and outdoor pool, and discover a private beach area. 7. Tryvann, Oslo Ski season: November–April Oslo Winter Park has a selection of ski resorts, including Tryvann, Hyttli, Vestkleiva and Wyller. It's only 30 minutes away from the city centre by public transport, and there are 18 slopes and 11 lifts. Explore the cross-country trail and terrain park, with areas for jumps, bumps and half pipes. Where to stay Situated right in the centre of Oslo is Hotell Bondeheimen, a stylish destination with spacious rooms and a restaurant serving traditional Norwegian cuisine. 8. Gausta, Telemark Gausta Ski Centre sits at the top of Gaustatoppen mountain and overlooks the region of Telemark. As well as 37 slopes, children's areas and terrain parks, there are trails specifically for off-piste skiing. While there are 13 lifts, you can also reach the top of the mountain by taking the Gaustabanen, which is a cable railway built inside the mountain itself. Where to stay Tuddal Hoyfjellshotel's tempting amenities include a garden, sauna and terrace.
