|
The Squamish Nation is an Indian Act government originally imposed on the Squamish (''Sḵwx̱wú7mesh'') by the Federal Government of Canada in the late 19th century. The Squamish are Indigenous, located in what is now considered British Columbia, Canada. Their band government comprises 16 elected councillors, serving four-year terms, with an elected band manager. Their main reserves are near the town of Squamish, British Columbia and around the mouths of the Capilano River, Mosquito Creek, and Seymour River on the north shore of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, British Columbia. ==History== The 'Squamish Nation', is an amalgamation of different villages, which became reserves under the Indian Act which the Canadian government imposed on the Squamish people. The origin of the Squamish Nation dates back to the late 19th century, when missionaries and Canadian government officials created a puppet government under the Indian Act within the Squamish, with the goal of blocking access to resources and cultural geography. The main goal of the Indian Act was the eventual assimilation of the indigenous people into the settlers' colonial socio-political structures and lifestyle. The Canadian government created a system of governing the Squamish (and other indigenous peoples) through selected "chiefs". These "chiefs" were selected based on factors such as their compliance, professed religious affiliation and sobriety. After passing of the Indian Act, these chiefs became the Indian Act government. The Squamish people were categorized and placed into numerous small reserves, established by the settler government. Each reserve was originally in the ownership of specific Squamish families. As land was being acquired, partitioned and allocated by the Federal Government without sufficient consent or consultation with the Squamish people, the separate villages formed into one Squamish Nation.〔MacDonald, Bruce. ''Vancouver: A Visual History''. p.17. Vancouver: Talonbooks.(1992).〕 On July 23, 1923 a political amalgamation agreement was signed by 16 chiefs.〔Squamish Nation, "Amalgamation Celebration Handout," http://squamish.net/files/PDF/Amalgamation_Celebration_Handout.pdf〕 This amalgamation became the Squamish Nation, and each chief had a seat at the council table. After decades, the hereditary system for the band council changed into an elected council. Currently, the Squamish Nation has 16 seats for which elections occur every four years. The number 16 reflects the 16 signatures on the original amalgamation agreement. Prior to British Columbia's hosting of the 2010 Olympic Games, the Squamish Nation engaged in negotiations with the Provincial Government of British Columbia and Lil'wat First Nation. Numerous agreements were signed prior to and following the announcement of the host city for the Games, regarding issues such as Squamish land to be used for hosting the Games. Issues regarding the leasing of land, Nation-owned or operated businesses and other ventures currently account for much of the Squamish Nation's band council government business. The Squamish Nation recently announced the purchase of a Tree Farm License (License 38), which covers the Elaho Valley near Squamish, British Columbia. This is one of the rare instances of an Indigenous Nation buying forfeited land, as no agreement was ever signed between the Crown and the Squamish during colonization of the Lower Mainland. The Nation has been criticized as doing little for its people despite its economic growth. The Squamish Nation has close ties with the Burrard Band or Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, who reside further east on Burrard Inlet. They have family connections to the Musqueam who reside on the southern edge of the city of Vancouver. Squamish communities were seriously affected by the 2005 CN Rail Cheakamus River derailment. About 40,000 litres of caustic soda were accidentally released into the Cheakamus, killing 500,000 fish. Squamish communities around the river were advised by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority not to consume water from local wells, or local wildlife who use the river.〔()〕 The Squamish Nation Band Council is now taking legal action against CN Rail. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Squamish Nation」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|