Project Kickoff Summary
More than 150 people attended the Constitution Kickoff Meeting, which was held in-person at Chief Joe Mathias Centre and Totem Hall and online on Zoom. The Kickoff was planned to help everyone understand what the Constitution Project means and why it’s important. In small-group discussions, attendees were asked to answer a question: What do you love about being Squamish?
Even if you missed the Kickoff, you can catch up on everything that happened by checking out the event summary.
And it’s not too late to share your thoughts! Tell us what you love about being Squamish – share your thoughts now.
What was the Project Kickoff all about?
The constitution kickoff meeting was held at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre, Totem Hall and online on zoom similar to the People’s Assembly.
To help everyone understand what the project means and why it’s important, we began with a presentation. But the most important part was hearing from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People.
This is the beginning of a very different process that will unfold in future meetings. It’s not led by Council. It’s a process that focuses on the voices of Squamish People first and foremost.
Who attended the meeting?
- Online participants – 40 people
- Totem Hall – 28 people
- Chief Joe Mathias Centre – 50 people
- Total of 138 people attended the Kickoff meeting*
*Some people didn’t sign-in, so attendance was likely higher
The Project Kickoff was also a good opportunity to share what the Project Team has been working on over the last 8 months: doing listening surveys and focus groups, building the foundation for this project, getting the training they need to do a good job, setting up the website, and planning all the meetings that will be needed as this project evolves over time.
What happened at the meeting?
The meeting began with a shared meal, then the little ones drummed and sang to us from the CJMC. We gave a visual presentation, and the Constitution Working Group took turns speaking to certain slides and answering some commonly asked questions.
Then we moved into a discussion session, which allowed everyone to share and listen. Some people chose to use their cell phones and share their ideas using a collaborative online tool. Other people chose to use markers and write on post-it notes and paper. This created opportunities to expand who was able to participate in the conversation, without the pressure of speaking in front of everyone. All of the ideas were collected and will be used for the Constitution Project. There were discussion facilitators at each location, as well as an online facilitator to help and guide the conversations.
In addition, written questions were collected so the Project Team can start answering them. Answers will be posted on the Get Answers section of the Constitution Project website.
The meeting finished with some drumming, singing and dancing at Totem Hall.
What we heard …
To get some positive dialogue going during the discussion part of the meeting, we asked everyone: “What do you love about being Sḵwx̱wú7mesh?” The answers were diverse, but highlighted six consistent themes.
1. Community and Support
The Squamish People deeply value their sense of community and the support they provide to each other. This is evident in phrases like:
“We look after each other.”
“One heart – coming together in sadness + goodness.“
“We are not strangers.“
“Coming together to share sorrow.“
“Love having the support to overcome as a community.”
“Close knit community. We know everyone, who lives in what house, we are not strangers.“
2. Cultural Heritage and Traditions
A profound respect for cultural heritage and traditions is central to the Squamish identity. This includes language, ceremonies, and the passing down of knowledge:
“Culture – gives me strength for tomorrow.“
“Baby ceremonies.“
“Culture is medicine.“
“Elder mentorship.“
“Cultural activities like drumming and singing.“
“Our traditions and how we are adapting them to ourselves in modern times.“
3. Connection to Land and Nature
The connection to the land and our natural resources is a vital element of what the Squamish love about their identity. They express a strong bond to their environment along with a sense of responsibility for stewardship:
“Water + land.“
“Being on the land. Taking care of the land and wildlife.“
“Learning to go out in our territory and harvest medicines.“
“Our strong connections to land, water, air, animals, beings.“
4. Resilience and Pride
There is a strong theme of resilience and pride through adversity, particularly in response to historical and ongoing challenges:
“We are resilient.“
“The pride and resilience as a nation. We survived the attempts from the colonial systems trying to extinguish us as a nation.”
“Believing in our younger generations to carry our future.“
“Culture 💜 it gives me the strength for tomorrow.“
5. Leadership and Entrepreneurship
Statements also highlighted the importance of leadership and support for entrepreneurship in the community:
“Being an entrepreneur the nation supports my business and helps me thrive.“
“Increased presence of women in leadership.“
“The Nation has full trust and faith in our Skwxwu7mesh entrepreneurs.“
“I love being a direct descendant of SN. Being connected to our values, family and community.“
6. Education and Passing Knowledge
Education, both formal and informal, and the transmission of cultural knowledge are crucial:
“Teachings being shared and passed on to our young people.“
“Learning about our lands, waters, and territory.“
“Bringing culture back in schools.“
“Education- funding.“
More important feedback
It was so inspiring to hear everyone’s response to the question: “What do you love about being Sḵwx̱wú7mesh?”. But we got some other important feedback too. Here are some things we heard that will help us make future Constitution Gatherings better.
- People loved the small discussion groups to share and listen
- Some people struggled to get onto Zoom
- We need more interactive content for folks online, like word clouds
- We need to better advertise transportation and childcare support ahead of Gatherings
- We should include door prizes at future gatherings
Based on all the great feedback we heard, here are some of the changes we plan to make at the first Constitutional Gathering in June:
- Remove the head table to keep everyone feeling united
- Provide more interactive content, especially for people participating online
- Including a door prize
- Providing opportunities for people to speak to the room as well as in groups
- Ensure food is diabetic friendly
- Communicate better about the zoom link going live at a specific time
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We’re so excited to see everyone at the first Constitutional Gathering on June 26th!
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