What’s this project all about?
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh word for “constitution” is S7ulh kwis Úxwumixw, which means “our way of being a nation”. The goal of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Constitution Project is to get all Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw stélmexw to participate in deciding our way of being a nation. This is a chance to make sure we always do things that are true to our ways, our culture, and our strengths.
A people’s initiative
The Constitution Project exists because Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People voted for it at the People’s Assembly in November 2022. It will be created by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People, independent of elected Council, and with input from all of us. As Paítsmuḵ (Dave Jacobs) said when he proposed the creation of a Squamish Constitution, it will be “for us, by us.”
A two-year process
The Constitution will be drafted by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People over a two-year period. This includes the creation of the Constitution through Gatherings, working groups, feedback sessions, orientations, and finally a vote in September 2025 on whether or not to adopt the Constitution that we create together. Want to learn more about the project? Click here.
Your voice matters.
We want the Constitution Project to represent our community and to support future generations of Skwxwú7mesh People. That’s why it’s so important for every single Nation person to help shape the Constitution. Your voice matters and we want to hear from you! Share your thoughts by answering these short questions now.
GET INVOLVED
October 2nd, 2024
Join us for Constitutional Gathering 2!
Ready to get involved and really have your say? This gathering will be an opportunity to come together and discuss exactly what should be included in our Constitution. Likely discussion topics will include:
- What makes a person Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Stélmexw?
- What are your rights as a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Person?
- What are your responsibilities as a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Person to our future descendents?
Your voice matters – don’t miss this chance to be heard!
Got questions?
This page has answers! Don’t see your question on the list? Submit your question and we’ll answer it.
- What’s a constitution?
- Why should I get involved?
- Is a constitution a colonial or Western idea?
Project Timeline
The Squamish Nation Constitution Project is underway. There are lots of ways to get involved, whether you want to speak in front of a crowd, invite someone from the project to your table for a conversation, submit your thoughts directly online, or something else. Be part of the process!
Resolution to Create a Constitution
November 2022
At the People’s Assembly in November 2022, a majority of us passed a resolution to create a Squamish Constitution by September 2025. This began the journey we are starting together now!
Research and Planning
August 2023 – January 2024
Through interviews, focus groups, and listening surveys, Skwxwú7mesh People from across the Nation shared their ideas about how the Constitution Project should work. This helped to shape the process for drafting our Constitution—putting Skwxwú7mesh People at its center.
Invitation to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People
March 2024 – April 2024
We need everyone at the table when it comes to creating the Skwxwú7mesh Constitution. We reached out to Skwxwú7mesh People using email, text messages, social media, and a video to introduce the project and inspire you to get involved. If you haven’t heard from us yet, let us know! Your voice matters, and we want you to be part of this monumental project.
Project Kickoff
April 29, 2024
To make sure everyone understands what this project is about and what we’re working towards, we hosted info sharing sessions in multiple locations so that everyone could be involved and ask questions. These sessions were open to all Squamish People. If you missed it, check out the event summary to stay up to date!
Discussion topics included:
• What do you love about being Sḵwx̱wú7mesh?
Constitution Gathering 1
June 26, 2024
This gathering will be our first opportunity to come together and start discussing exactly what should be included in our Constitution.
Discussion topics included:
• Where should we be in 100 years?
• What should we look like in 100 years?
• Given the future we’ve just been talking about, what are the things we need to have control over to achieve these?
Constitution Working Group (CWG) Session 1
July 2024 – August 2024
The Constitution Working Group will take everything they heard in the first Constitution Gathering to map out the sections of the Squamish Constitution and start drafting the text within each section.
Constitution Gathering 2
October 2, 2024
At the second Constitutional Gathering, Working Group members will present the next segment of the Constitution outline and ask questions to get feedback that will help form and fill in that segment of the Constitution.
Likely discussion topics:
• What makes a person Sḵwx̱wú7mesh?
• What are your rights as a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Person?
• What are your responsibilities as a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Person today and to our future descendants?
Constitution Working Group (CWG) Session 2
October 2024 – October 2024
The Constitution Working Group adjusts the draft Constitution and adds new sections based on feedback collected in the second Gathering.
Constitution Gathering 3
November 17, 2024
Likely discussion topics:
• Structure of Skwxwu7mesh government
• Council and People’s Assembly
• Election and Referendum process
• Process for making laws to protect Skwxwu7mesh Stelmexw and Skwxwu7mesh territory
Working Group (CWG) Session 3
December 2024
The Working Group adjusts the specific language in the draft Constitution based on Peoples’ feedback that was collected in the third Gathering.
Constitution Gathering 4
February 9, 2025
Likely discussion topics:
• Describing Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory
• Caring for the land and Skwxwu7mesh territory
• Process for adopting and amending our Constitution
Working Group (CWG) Session 4
March 2025 – March 2025
The Working Group will meet to work on a draft of the Skwxwú7mesh Constitution based on the final input received from Skwxwú7mesh People at the fourth Gathering.
Constitution Gathering 5
April 2025 – April 2025
The Constitution Working Group will present the draft of the Skwxwú7mesh People created Constitution for review. This will be the final opportunity for Skwxwú7mesh People to provide any input for the constitution.
CWG (Constitution Working Group) Session #5
April 2025 – May 2025
The CWG will work on updating the draft Skwxwu7mesh constitution based on the input provided from the fifth gathering.
Constitution Gathering 6
May 2025
Skwxwú7mesh People will have the opportunity to review the final draft of the constitution at this meeting.
CWG (Constitution Working Group) Session #6
May 2025 – June 2025
The CWG will have their final meeting
Constitution Orientations
July 2025 – September 2025
The Constitution team will take time to show and explain the Constitution to folks across Squamish Nation. The goal of this outreach work is to make sure all Squamish People are aware of our Constitution and understand what it’s about.
Inspiring Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw People to Vote
August 2025 – September 2025
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw People will have already worked for months shaping and polishing our Constitution. But it won’t be official until Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People vote to approve it. To make sure as many of us as possible vote for the Constitution, we’ll be out in the community to inspire everyone to vote. We want everyone in the community to come together to make history!
Referendum
September 2025
Don’t miss this chance to vote on whether or not to adopt the Squamish Nation Constitution. This is our Constitution – for us, by us – and it will benefit our Nation for generations to come. That’s why we need a record number of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People to vote. Help make Squamish history. Vote in the Referendum!
Stay in the loop
Don’t miss out! Keep up to date on news and upcoming events. Sign up to receive regular updates and breaking news from the Constitution Project!