District of Squamish issues formal apology to the Squamish Nation
The apology, delivered privately on September 19 and acknowledged publicly on September 30, follows a research project that combined the District's archives with oral histories led by the Nation.
The District of Squamish has formally apologized to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) for District actions that harmed generations of Squamish people. The apology also acknowledges the harms caused by colonial systems and policies more broadly.
According to the District’s announcement, the apology was delivered at a private ceremony at Totem Hall on September 19. It was acknowledged at a public ceremony at O’Siyam Pavilion on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
What it says
The District says the apology covers actions that denied Squamish people their well-being, culture, economy, governance and full enjoyment of their rights and title. Part of the text, published by the District, reads: “To all Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People: we are sorry.” The apology also names racism and discrimination, the loss of language and culture, and colonization’s effect on the Nation’s economic development.
How it was built
The apology draws on the ta wanáxw sníchim (True Words) Project. Through it, the District examined its own archival records, and the Squamish Nation led oral history interviews to document past and ongoing harms the District may have caused. The research and findings are set out in the ta wanáxw sníchim Report.
The apology is one of six priority activities in the memorandum of understanding the District and the Squamish Nation signed on July 22, 2025. According to the District, that agreement commits both governments to collaborate on land stewardship, reconciliation and joint decision-making.
Read it in full
The full apology and the ta wanáxw sníchim Report are posted at squamish.ca/formal-apology. The District’s announcement includes statements from Squamish Nation chairperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams and Mayor Armand Hurford.
The apology came the same month that the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District marked 10 years as a Regional District of Reconciliation.
Sources
- District of Squamish: Apology dates, venues, quoted text, True Words project, 2025 MOU
- District of Squamish: Full apology and report (linked from the release)
- Squamish-Lillooet Regional District: SLRD 10 years as Regional District of Reconciliation (headline and date from SLRD news list, Sept. 23, 2026)
