The joint Squamish Nation and District of Squamish land back task force may recommend co-managing parks and protected areas, restoring original place names and granting exclusive access to cultural sites for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People, the District said in a press release Sunday.
According to the press release, the task force could also recommend facilitating access to traditional harvesting sites, exploring policy updates to District land dispositions, and advocating for Squamish Nation interests related to Crown land dispositions.
The District said the primary goal of the task force is to develop a framework for land back within the District of Squamish. That work includes researching external examples of land-back initiatives to inform the local process, and creating mechanisms for shared decision-making, co-management, and policy development that respect Sḵwx̱wú7mesh jurisdiction.
The task force will focus on restoring Squamish Nation governance, stewardship and cultural connection to lands currently under public jurisdiction, the press release said. Its scope does not involve privately owned property, and residents with private landholdings will not be affected.
The task force itself does not have decision-making power. It will research, engage in dialogue with members and the public, and make recommendations to the respective Councils.
Each Council has appointed three members. The six members are Squamish Nation Councillors Is’gh’li-ya, Anthony Joseph; Kalkalilh, Deanna Lewis; and Jonny Williams, along with District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford and Councillors Eric Andersen and Jenna Stoner.
The District and Squamish Nation said in the press release that they are committed to transparency and collaboration as the work moves forward, and that both governments will work to ensure Squamish people and District residents have access to resources and information throughout the process.
As a first step, District residents are invited to learn about the historical facts and legal frameworks for Indigenous rights and title in Canada, which the District said is intended to help contextualize recent court decisions and ground public dialogue. The task force was established earlier this year to fulfill one of the priorities outlined in the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two governments.
