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Squamish Nation locals elect two councillors to represent Valley

Dale Harry and Joshua Joseph the voice of Squamish area

SquamishValley residents gained a second council member representative, despite a voter turnout of only 50 per cent in the recent Squamish Nation election on Sunday (Dec. 6).

With 323 votes, Squamish Valley resident Dale Harry was re-elected to Squamish Nation council for his third term, while local newcomer Joshua Joseph was elected for his first term with 414 votes.

The four former chiefs – Gilbert ‘Gibby’ Jacob, Richard ‘Dick’ Williams, Bill Williams, and Ian Campbell were re-elected with 400, 345, 324 and 303 votes respectively.

Eight councillors were re-elected including Alroy ‘Bucky’ Baker with 441 votes, Krisandra ‘Krissy’ Jacobs with 424 votes, Deborah ‘Debbie’ Baker with 423 votes, Carla George with 419 votes, Juliette Baker with 369 votes, Dennis Joseph with 337 votes, Byron Joseph with 307 votes and Pamela Baker with 299 votes.

With 626 votes, Glen Newman was re-elected as band manager.

Three new councillors, including Joseph, were elected to council, Christopher Lewis with 598 votes, and Ann Whonnock with 313 votes.

Whonnock is in her final year of the four-year business administration program at Capilano University. She has more than 15 years of experience as an assistant business project co-ordinator in the Squamish Nation Council.

Lewis is a senior policy advisor with BC Assembly of First Nations who holds a degree in geography and First Nations Studies from Simon Fraser University. Lewis is interested in formulating an elder’s and youth council as well as developing a Squamish Nation constitution by building on the 1923 amalgamation.

Joseph is a 29-year-old youth worker who was born and raised in the Squamish Valley, on the Stawamus Reserve. Joseph said he chose to run for council because of local encouragement and family support – his great grandfather’s signature was on the amalgamation document of 1923.

“So having that past of leadership in our family really encouraged me and just knowing it in my heart that I could be a voice and represent our people at the council table, and be a good representative for them. I feel like I’m strong enough.”

Joseph said he plans to engage the community in conversation by hosting regular meetings with community members.

“Just to figure out what kind of concerns, issues or even ideas they have on what they want to see.”

Joseph said he’s very relieved to have won a seat and he’s thrilled to be able to represent the Squamish Valley, because he feels the area in under-represented.

“I would really like to work with the people in the [Squamish] Valley because people have been concerned with not having enough representation in the Valley. A majority of our councillors are from the North Van. Area.”

Harry said he’s happy to have been re-elected to represent Squamish Valley.

“It feels good. It gives us a mandate to go forward.”

Harry said he has a list of high priority items including moving forward with land selection, developing government partnerships, providing affordable housing and creating jobs for Squamish Nation members.

“I would like to see more employment opportunities within our territory but we’ve got to create an economy for that, right?”

With only three new councillors being elected to the 16-member council, the change in representation is subtle.

“There’s beginnings for some and ends for others,” Harry said.

“But I tell you what I feel really good about is Josh Joseph. He’s going to be a lot of help for the Squamish area in bringing the voice of the Squamish area to the table. It’s good to have two rather than just one.”

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