Earlier this year, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation) announced a 14-month moratorium on unsolicited development proposals while the Nation focused on Land Development Strategies on five sites. This Nation-led initiative also includes the creation of the first Long Range Capital Plan that will identify, prioritize, and determine funding needs for important member amenities and facilities (e.g., Elders care home, healing centre, new administrative offices, language and cultural centres, schools, and childcare centres).
In March, the Nation issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for urban planning, urban design, land economics, cultural design, and engineering consultants to support this work. Following a competitive procurement process, the Nation and Nch’ḵay̓ are proud to announce two multidisciplinary teams. Both teams include Sḵwx̱wú7mesh design professionals, ensuring the integration of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values and culture as foundational to this initiative.
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values, culture and worldview will serve as a foundation for this work and represent a shift in how the Nation approaches the planning and development of its lands. This investment in the Nation’s future will identify how to maximize the use of its lands to serve current and future member needs along with the creation of multigenerational economic growth.
“These teams were selected by Nation and Nch’ḵay̓ staff based on their understanding of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh worldviews, proposed collaborative design processes and
understanding of market and industry opportunities,” says Mindy Wight, CEO, Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation.
The successful teams:
| Xwemélch’stn Capilano I.R. No. 5 Ch’ich’élx̱wí7ḵw Seymour I.R. No. 2 | Perkins + Will Architects Canada (lead)Liveable City Planning Ltd (Co-Lead) |
| Stá7mes I.R. No. 24 Ch’ḵw’elhp I.R. No. 26 5th Site in Squamish Valley | hcma architecture + design (lead)Sky Spirit Studio Inc. K̓esugwilakw Sierra Tasi Baker & Halikium Wade Baker – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Members)Urbanics Consultants Ltd. |
The Land Development Strategies will identify possible land uses, development forms, community amenities and revenues that could benefit the Nation through the sites’ redevelopment. It will consider these lands’ economic opportunities in tandem with community needs and determine alignment with the Nation’s values.
This initiative is in keeping with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation’s objective from its Strategic Plan 2022-2026, by which the Nation asserts its rightful place as a decision-maker with influence and control over what happens on Squamish lands and waters.
Sites included in this Planning Process
- Xwemélch’stn Capilano I.R. No. 5 (including the International Plaza site);
- Ch’ich’élx̱wí7ḵw Seymour I.R. No. 2 (including Lynnwood Marina);
- Stá7mes I.R. No. 24;
- Ch’ḵw’elhp I.R. No. 26; and
- A fifth site in the Squamish Valley to be identified through the process.
About Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation (Squamish Nation)
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation, as a government, has existed since 1923. In our language, we are called Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. Before 1923, the Squamish People were socially, economically, and politically organized into several physical communities called an úxwumixw (“village; people”) in the territory of the Squamish People. The territory of the Squamish People includes the Burrard Inlet, English Bay, False Creek, and Howe Sound watersheds.
About Nch’ḵay̓
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation as a government established the Nch’ḵay̓ in 2018 as its arms-length economic development corporation. Led by a board of business, financial, and real estate experts, the Nch’ḵay develops, manages, and owns active businesses that grow the economic wealth of the Nation. The company’s name refers to the mountain all Squamish People descend from, as told in the Squamish People’s story of the Great Flood. This flood forced our ancestors to tie their canoes to the highest mountain in the territory called Nch’ḵay̓ (known also as Mount Garibaldi) to survive and repopulate our territory once the waters subsided.