Note: This story originally appeared in the North Shore Progress Report, a special feature section of the North Shore 撸奶社区.
Traditionally, the 撸奶社区People are the Indigenous Peoples who speak the S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh sníchim language.
While that language has become critically endangered, the large and sprawling 撸奶社区Nation is making strong efforts to revitalize its mother tongue, and bring members back onto reserve land.
Total S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh Úxwumixw (撸奶社区Nation) traditional territory is more than 6,700 square kilometres. Today, the nation is made up of 23 villages over 28.3 square kilometres on land parcels scattered from Vancouver to Gibsons Landing, north of Howe Sound.
撸奶社区Nation has a deep history in the region, with the oldest archaeological site in the territory, in Porteau Cove, dating back 8,600 years.
The modern era of the nation began in 1923, when a majority of 撸奶社区people who were eligible voters requested several different Indian bands amalgamate into a single entity.
Now, the majority of its roughly 4,300 members live on the North Shore of Vancouver, and around 10 per cent of its population live in communities along the 撸奶社区River in Squamish, B.C.
A number of efforts are underway to create a bright future for the 撸奶社区people.
In 2021, the 撸奶社区Nation put significant updates to its election process into effect, and . Before then, election laws hadn’t changed since 1981.
An ongoing initiative for 撸奶社区Nation councillors has been to “bring their people home,” by creating diverse, affordable on-reserve housing options. Currently, over half of members live away from reserve land, and a waiting list for housing is 1,000-members long.
Last year, designed to provide hundreds of new homes exclusively for the First Nation. Two of the sites are in North Vancouver communities, and the third is in Squamish.
The plan to house 撸奶社区Nation members made more strides this year, after receiving a $32.3-million grant from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s Rapid Housing Initiative, which will have , with construction to start this coming summer. estítkw place (a safe place) will have 50 units, on Capilano Road.
The 撸奶社区Nation’s most ambitious development project yet also sets aside a number of apartments for members, but is focused on the economic boost of building a major site in an urban area.
In May, the First Nation , intended to provide utilities to a planned 6,000-unit housing development on reserve land near Burrard Street Bridge. Two-hundred and fifty of the apartments are slated for members.
Central to 撸奶社区Nation’s mission to preserve and reinvigorate use of its language, . Five nominated members will play a vital role in guiding language programming for the nation.
The commission will oversee the use, health and promotion of the language, while also taking steps to make S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh sníchim the nation’s official language.
The North Shore Progress Report also contained features on the City of North Vancouver, , 撸奶社区Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The entire feature is also available as a
