The Town of Gibsons, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) and the Squamish Nation found common ground at a cordial and constructive two-hour forum held in Gibsons Feb. 22. The two local governments appear committed to ratifying a new co-operation protocol that would see the First Nation and each local government meet at least once each year, at both the political and the staff level.
"This is the first step in re-establishing the presence of the Squamish First Nation on their traditional lands," said forum chair, Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk. "I have confidence in the people who come here today."
About 30 people, including local elected representatives and about a dozen members of the Squamish Nation, attended the meeting at The Club in Lower Gibsons. It marked just the second time the three governments have met face to face. Squamish project negotiator Toby Baker described the protocol as "a non-threatening agreement, and a communication facilitation document designed to keep dialogue open, to jointly educate one another on matters of cultural and economic significance."
Squamish Nation traditional territory extends as far up the Coast as Roberts Creek. SCRD Roberts Creek director Donna Shugar mentioned she's interested in erecting an historical plaque at a Creek park about the Squamish Nation's traditional presence there. While the protocol lists land use planning as one of the key interests, its goals are far broader and include culture and heritage protection and economic development.
Squamish Chief Dick Williams explained his nation has established protocol agreements with all their neighbouring First Nations and mentioned the fact that nine of their former reserves, including the Squamish townsite, have been taken away. "I don't trust anybody," he stated. "We're starting to get court decisions in our favour now. We are still not in a treaty system, and this protocol is to set up how we deal with others around us."
"It's easy to understand the First Nations situation, because as a local government, we're in the same canoe," said Janyk in a sentiment which had many in the room nodding heads in agreement. Local government officials shared their dissatisfaction with the government-to-government protocol and strategic land and resource plan (SLRP) enacted between the province and Shishalh, Sliammon, Klahoose and Homalco nations on the Sunshine Coast.
Shugar asked Squamish representatives if they had seen the SLRP document and why they are not involved in it. In a follow-up interview with Coast Reporter after the forum, Baker responded that the Squamish Nation is "pursing matters of federal and provincial concern that are somewhat unique relative to other communities, given the Nation's proximity to an urban centre."
The town and the regional district presented updates on developments in their areas, while Baker mentioned the Squamish Nation holds about 35 acres (14.2 hectares) of reserve land in IR26 and IR26A, both adjacent to Grantham's Landing. Local parks and wilderness advocate George Smith commended the Squamish Nation for their land-use plan, noting it was a document that "didn't just respect your own people but was stunning work in protecting the environment."
"The history of land use planning here on the Sunshine Coast is that we're in a colonial situation, where the provincial government is making the decisions. We need your wisdom," he said.
Ed Hill, an organizer of the annual Pulling Together canoe journey to build trust and friendship between the RCMP and First Nations, invited the Squamish Nation to attend. Chief Byron Joseph thanked Hill for the offer and agreed the symbolic nature of the journey is important.
"Steeped in ceremony is the only way we can really come together," he said.
The Squamish Nation has working agreements with their surrounding municipalities and are looking to complete two more with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and with the City of Vancouver. Janyk promised the town would begin work immediately towards an authorizing resolution, while SCRD board chair Ed Steeves assured all present that "the protocol will be on the [SCRD] agenda very soon." The SCRD has a similar agreement in place with the Sechelt Indian Band, that had no representatives at the meeting.
