The Shared Territories: Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation

Whistler is located on the unceded territories of the Líl̓wat Nation and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) who have lived on these lands since time immemorial. Living and working in this place, colonially known as Whistler, alongside the Lil̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people is an honour that we share.

We have undertaken the important work of creating the Resort Municipality of Whistler’s (RMOW) territorial statement to show the RMOW’s commitment and gratitude to the Lil̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. This statement is one of many steps that have and will be taken in our truth and reconciliation learning journey.

The Resort Municipality of Whistler is grateful to be on the shared, unceded territory of the Líl̓wat People, known in their language as Lil̓wat7úl, and the Squamish People, known in their language as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh. We respect and commit to a deep consideration of their history, culture, stewardship and voice.

We recognize that there are thousands of years of governance and stewardship that have gone into shaping this shared territory. We commit, as a local government only recently in existence within these lands, to strengthen and maintain respectful government to government relationships and to continue to educate ourselves on UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada‘s Calls to Action.

Over time the RMOW has worked with the Líl̓wat Nation and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw on many initiatives from establishing the Whistler Interpretive Forest, Cheakamus Community Forest and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, to collaboration on the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. More recently, several agreements laid the foundation for wide ranging commitments laid out in Whistler’s Official Community Plan.

There is so much to be done in this space, and we look forward to sharing this learning journey with our residents and guests.

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

In June 2021, the federal government declared September 30 as a public holiday that applies to all federally regulated public and private employees related to a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The RMOW has formally recognized September 30 as National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

How the Resort Municipality of Whistler is supporting Truth and Reconciliation

There are many important actions that we need to take to support Truth and Reconciliation. It is also noted that actions sit both at the individual and at the organizational level. At the individual level, we must start with education and awareness of residential schools, colonialism and the Indian Act. At the organizational level, we are listening and learning and identifying where we can integrate Indigenous cultural protocols and practices, knowledge and approaches to decision making. The RMOW continues to contemplate meaningful ways to learn and acknowledge our colonial past and support Council, staff and the community in their learning journey.

In 2021, in partnership with the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, the municipality distributed Truth and Reconciliation toolkits to businesses in an effort to share the importance of the National day of Truth and Reconciliation and the significance of living and working on the Shared Territories.

The municipality continues to offer and request all staff to participate in cultural awareness, conflict resolution, human rights and anti-racism training. To support further learning, an online resource library for staff has been established.

Related agreements

In 2020, the Resort Municipality of Whistler entered into a Framework Agreement with the Líl̓wat Nation and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw to further build our government-to-government relationship and provide for greater participation in economic and cultural opportunities in Whistler.

Our commitment to an enduring relationship defined by reconciliation and collaboration is articulated in Whistler’s Official Community Plan and shared community vision.

Learning Resources

Líl̓wat Nation: The L̓il̓wat7úl are Ucwalmícw which translates to “the people of the land”. They are 1 of 11 communities that form the St’át’imc Nation. The territory extends to Rubble Creek, north to Gates Lake, East to Upper Stein Valley and west to the coastal inlets of the Pacific Ocean an area covering 7911.31 square kilometres. There are about 2,500 members of the Líl̓wat Nation. They speak Ucwalmícwts which translates to “the language of the land.” They are a mountain community; their territory is similar to what you see in Whistler. Their clothing, food, housing and transportation has adapted to the temperature change found in the mountain ranges. Courtesy of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw: The Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxumixw, the Squamish People, are the descendants of the Coast Salish First Nations People that lived in present day Greater Vancouver, Gibson’s landing and Squamish, BC. Their territory is 6,732 square kilometres. There are about 4,000 members of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. They speak Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh sníchim, the number of fluent speakers is extremely low, but they are committed to bring their traditional language back to their youth. Their majority of their territory is found along the ocean. Their clothing, food, housing and transportation has adapted to the temperate rainforest. Courtesy of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre: The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) is the first centre of its kind in Canada. Two Nations came together to celebrate and share their cultures with the world while creating meaningful employment opportunities for members of both the Sk̲wxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation, Coast Salish) and Líl̓wat7ul (Líl̓wat Nation, Interior Salish) Nations. Designed to evoke the form of a Squamish Longhouse and Líl̓wat Istken (earthen dwelling), the SLCC embodies the spirit of partnership between two unique Nations who wish to preserve, grow, and share their traditional cultures. Courtesy of Tourism Whistler

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada‘s Calls to Action: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action (PDF)address the ongoing impact of residential schools on survivors and their families. They also provide a path for government and Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in British Columbia to create a joint vision of reconciliation.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES is the third of five videos to be released that showcases Whistler’s unique environment, history, heritage and culture. WHISTLER 101 is a community-led series developed by the RMOW in collaboration with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, the Whistler Museum, the Whistler Naturalists and Arts Whistler. All five episodes were directed by Leslie Anthony and edited by Mike Douglas and Switchback Entertainment. View the Whistler 101 Indigenous Peoples episode: