Indigenous Relations

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is found within the core traditional territories of the  Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), St'át'imc Nation and Líl'wat Nation, which is a distinct Nation with linguistic, cultural, familial and political ties to the St'át'imc Nation. Each Nation is independent and self-governing. In the case of the St'át'imc, there are eleven distinct and self-governing communities (including Líl'wat) within the Nation. As well, parts of the SLRD also overlap with the traditional territories of the Stó:lō, Tsleil-Waututh, Nlaka'pamux, Tsilhqot'in, and Secwepemc Nations. 

The SLRD has been a Regional District of Reconciliation since 2016, when the Board formally committed to a long-term process of building trust and strengthening relationships with the First Nations upon whose territories the SLRD operates. This commitment reflects the understanding that reconciliation requires awareness of the past, acknowledgment of the harms caused, and sustained action by local governments to address the legacy of colonialism and how it affects governance within the SLRD.

Strengthening relationships with First Nations and Indigenous communities is a strategic priority of the SLRD Board. Since 2016, the SLRD has partnered with the District of Lillooet, Lillooet Tribal Council, and P’egp’ig’lha Council, with funding support from UBCM. Together, four Community to Community Gatherings have been held. These events brought together leaders from the northern SLRD and northern St’at’imc Territory to build relationships, improve communication, and explore ways to collaborate. The Gatherings resulted in an Intergovernmental Relations Working Group (2016 - 2019) and a Protocol Agreement for Communication and Cooperation being signed in 2018.

During the same period, the SLRD partnered with Lil’wat Nation and the Village of Pemberton to host four Nuk̓w7antwal̓ Regional Gatherings. The focus was on bringing together leaders from the Pemberton area, southern Stl’atl’imx, and Lil’wat Nation. These gatherings also received funding support from UBCM’s Community to Community Program. The Gatherings are an opportunity for southern Stl’atl’imx and local governments to come together to explore more deeply the meaning of “Nuk̓w7antwal̓ wi ku st̓ ak-menlhkalh”, which is an Ucwalmicwts phrase meaning, “We help each other to find the way.”