The heart of the current Squamish Estuary was once the heart of the Squamish Nation village, Skwelwil’em.
Starting this summer, tours of the estuary will explore its rich First Nations history and significance.
Squamish Nation member Chrystal Nahanee will launch Kwemkwemshenam Cultural Walking Tours early this July. The tours are a way to promote Squamish Nation culture and language, she said.
Her debut tour will feature Squamish Nation language expert Rebecca Duncan, who is one of only 10 fluent Squamish Nation speakers. “So people who come on the tour will learn about these words, these place names – to try and keep our language and our culture alive,” Nahanee said, adding the tours are a way to promote protecting the environment as well.
“First Nations people, since we are born, we are taught right from birth to be stewards of the land and to protect the land for future generations,” she said. “The land, the resources, the animals, the habitat, living in harmony.”
Each tour will be two to three hours and open to anyone able to walk the gravel and dirt trails.
Kwemkwemshenam means stomping feet in the Squamish language, Nahanee explained.
She hopes local residents, tourists, school groups and corporations looking to team-build will join the tours.
The Squamish River Watershed Society’s education coordinator, Rhonda O’Grady, is scheduled to lead the second tour.
“Her background is biology, so her tour would be mainly focused on the habitat, the environment, the creatures that live within the estuary,” Nahanee said.
Experienced Squamish Nation cultural guide Iris Lewis, who was previously at Klahowya Village in Stanley Park, will lead a third tour focusing on area legends, culture, drumming and singing.
The details of the fourth tour are still being worked out, Nahanee said, but it will incorporate technology.
Nahanee works for the Squamish Nation doing Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, something she wants to use for the tours. She has recently been working with specialized rugged tablets she envisions tour participants using.
“I want to customize the tablet to collect information in the estuary during the tour, which is focused on Squamish Nation history, names,” she said, adding younger people may be more willing to engage in a walking tour if a gadget and technology is involved.
Nahanee is currently setting up a Kwemkwemshenam Cultural Walking Tours website and firming up tour dates. In the meantime, those interested can learn more, email Chrystal_island@yahoo.com.
