Indigenous speaker shares story of fight for the return of traditional lands

Wilson Williams (Sxwíxwtn), a Squamish Nation Councillor and Spokesperson, will deliver the keynote address at VIU’s Indigenous Speakers Series event on March 20. One aspect of history that Sxwíxwtn, now a Squamish Nation councillor and spokesperson, learned about was the fate of the Nation’s traditional village in what is now downtown Vancouver. In 1867, when First Nations were put on reservations, 88 acres were allocated to the Nation at Sen̓áḵw. “My great grandfather and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh lawyers, environmentalists and activists fiercely fought for decades to have these lands rightfully returned to our Nation,” said Sxwíxwtn. “We hope this development inspires more Indigenous governments to start their own economic development projects,” said Sxwíxwtn.