Squamish Nation
Summary
Governance & Leadership
Council Chairperson
- Sxwíxwtn, Wilson Williams
Councillors
- Ḵetx̱ímtn, Alroy (Bucky) Baker
- Syex̱wáliya, Ann Whonnock
- Is’gh’li-ya, Anthony Joseph
- P'akwelut, Sandy Lafontaine
- Sḵuálhḵamaat, Amanda Williams
- Sinámḵin, Jody Broomfield
- Yeltsilewet, Faye Halls
- Sumkwaht, Shayla Jacobs
- Ḵálḵalilh, Deanna Lewis
- Jonah Trevon Chase Gonzales
- Yul Baker
- Jonny Williams
- Bertha Joseph
- Kwa7kwmchen-kin, Matthew Houghton
- Sxwchálten, Kevin Rivers
Next Election
September 2029Term of Office
4 YearsGovernment Type
Custom Electoral System (Custom Code)Demographics
Membership (*ISC - As of July 2026)
- 4,804 total membership
- 2,372 (on-reserve)
- 2,432 (off-reserve)
Reserves
Reserve Land
hectares
2,120.00
acres
5,238.63
km²
21.2
Physical Location
Squamish Nation’s main reserves are located near the town of Squamish, British Columbia.
Economic Development Strategy
Squamish Nation’s overarching economic strategy centers on reclaiming and maximizing the value of its traditional lands to achieve long-term economic independence and self-determination. By explicitly separating business operations from political governance, the Nation utilizes its dedicated economic development arm, Nch’ḵay Development Limited Partnership, to manage a highly diversified portfolio of active businesses, major real estate developments, and natural resource ventures. A cornerstone of this strategy is the ambitious redevelopment of ancestral village sites—such as the landmark Senáḵw project—into massive, sustainable, and purpose-built urban communities. Additionally, the Nation leverages powerful regional alliances, notably through the MST Development Corporation, which unites the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to jointly acquire and develop prime real estate throughout Metro Vancouver. Through these high-profile joint ventures, sustainable forestry operations like Northwest Squamish Forestry, and community-focused infrastructure initiatives through the Hiyam Housing Society, the Nation translates its strategic urban footprint into robust, long-term lease and taxation revenues. This comprehensive approach ensures that high-level wealth generation directly translates into entrepreneurial opportunities and multi-generational prosperity while embedding Coast Salish cultural values and environmental leadership into every project.
Economic Development Corporations
Nch'ḵay Development Corporation
Operating as the dedicated economic development arm of the Squamish Nation, Nch’ḵay Development Corporation was established to independently develop, manage, and own the Nation’s active businesses while ensuring a strict separation between commercial operations and political governance. Transitioning into a major government business enterprise, Nch’ḵay manages a highly diversified portfolio spanning commercial real estate, marine operations, and natural resources. The corporation drives monumental urban real estate initiatives—most notably the landmark Senáḵw development—alongside the operation of Lynnwood and Mosquito Creek Marinas and Northwest Squamish Forestry. Beyond direct asset management, Nch’ḵay actively shapes regional industry through its Nch’ú7mut Endorsed Business Registry, which requires external procurement partners to commit to revenue sharing, local sub-contracting, and indigenous workforce development. Ultimately, Nch’ḵay acts as the primary wealth-generation engine for the Nation, leveraging prime urban and traditional territories to create multi-generational prosperity and sustainable growth that directly benefits the Squamish community.
MST Development Corporation
MST Development Corporation represents a historic, high-profile corporate partnership between the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Operating as a multi-Nation holding and master-planning entity, MST oversees the acquisition and development of highly valuable, reclaimed urban real estate across Metro Vancouver. The corporation currently controls over 160 acres of prime developable land—including landmark mega-projects like the Jericho Lands, the Heather Street Lands, and the Fairmont property. As one of the most powerful real estate entities in the country, MST Development Corporation functions as a generational wealth vehicle, fundamentally transforming the landscape of Indigenous urban land ownership and sustainable city-building in Canada.
Squamish Nation - Enterprise Portfolio
Major Urban Real Estate & Development
The Senáḵw Project (Nch’ḵay West / Senakw LPs) [50% Equity Partnership / Phase-Dependent Ownership]
A landmark urban development transforming traditional lands into a massive residential and commercial hub, managed through a complex web of dedicated building and head-lease limited partnerships.
MST Development Corporation & MST Limited Partnerships [33% Joint Partnership with Musqueam & Tsleil-Waututh]
A monumental joint venture alongside the Musqueam Indian Band and Tsleil-Waututh Nation that holds and develops prime real estate in Metro Vancouver, including the Jericho Lands, the Fairmont property, and major developments in West Vancouver.
Cheekeye River Developments Limited Partnership [50% Joint Venture]
A dedicated partnership focused on the strategic commercial development of the Cheekeye Fan Lands.
Marine Operations & Coastal Infrastructure
Lynnwood Marina Limited Partnership & Lynnwood Industrial Estates Ltd. [Wholly-Owned via Nch’ḵay]
Entities managing prime marine commercial infrastructure and industrial estates on the North Shore.
Mosquito Creek Marina Limited Partnership [Wholly-Owned via Nch’ḵay]
Operating significant moorage and marine services on traditional waterfront territory.
Natural Resources & Forestry
Northwest Squamish Forestry Limited Partnership [100% Wholly-Owned Partnership]
The Nation’s dedicated forestry enterprise, managing sustainable harvesting and major regional tree farm licences to ensure long-term environmental stewardship and revenue generation.
Retail, Commercial & Contracting Services
Nch’ú7mut Contracting Limited Partnership [Wholly-Owned via Nch’ḵay]
A specialized contracting entity that drives regional construction joint ventures and local procurement.
Squamish Valley Gas Limited Partnership [Wholly-Owned via Nch’ḵay]
Managing the Nation’s retail fuel distribution operations and convenience infrastructure.
Cultural & Community Infrastructure
Hiy̓ám̓ Ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society [Wholly-Owned / Controlled Not-For-Profit]
The Nation’s dedicated, not-for-profit housing entity mandated to lead the development and management of affordable housing for the community.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) [50/50 Joint Partnership with Lil’wat Nation]
A joint government partnership operating a premier cultural tourism and event facility alongside the Lil’wat Nation.
Access & Logistics
Primary Access:
Squamish Nation’s territory covers a massive geographical area extending from Metro Vancouver up through the Howe Sound and into the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Their highly urbanized southern reserves (located in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and West Vancouver) are accessed via major municipal arterials and the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Their northern reserves and traditional villages in the Squamish Valley are accessed primarily via British Columbia Highway 99 (the Sea-to-Sky Highway), a major coastal mountain corridor linking Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler.
Nearest International Airport:
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) — located within Metro Vancouver, providing world-class global passenger, cargo, and charter access. For the Nation’s northern operations, the Squamish Municipal Airport (YSE) provides local regional flights, floatplane access, and commercial helicopter charters.
Nearest Commercial & Service Hub:
Metro Vancouver acts as the ultimate international commercial, financial, and industrial hub for their southern operations and major corporate headquarters. For operations further north, the District of Squamish serves as the immediate regional hub for local workforce lodging, heavy hardware, and day-to-day industrial staging.
Nearest Heavy Rail/Freight Hub:
Metro Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet (providing direct access to the Port of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada). The Nation’s lands are highly integrated with major deep-water marine logistics. Heavy rail is provided by CN Rail, which operates mainlines through North Vancouver and runs directly up the Howe Sound coastline into the Squamish rail yard. Furthermore, Squamish Terminals operates a deep-water break-bulk port at the north end of Howe Sound, allowing for global ocean vessel and barge shipping.
Geographic Note (Site Planning):
The Nation’s territory presents a highly diverse geographic profile. Site planning on their southern lands involves high-density urban development, extensive municipal integration, and foreshore marine management along Burrard Inlet and False Creek. The northern territories involve steep coastal mountains, fjords (Howe Sound), and sensitive river floodplains (Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers). Heavy civil and infrastructure planning must account for rigorous environmental assessments, coastal tide and weather patterns, geotechnical stability in mountainous terrain, and deep Coast Salish cultural consultation across both urban and pristine wilderness environments.