Project Overview
“Building Relations through Stories” is an Indigenous-led project focused on non-extractive, land-based work rooted in Indigenous epistemologies. The research honours territorial protocols and prioritizes giving back to the community by facilitating the gathering of traditional knowledge to be passed on to future generations. The project is led by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Hereditary Chief Chepximiya Siyam’ Janice George.
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh are one of the Original Peoples of the lands now occupied by the city of Vancouver. Chief Janice George will invite all 16 hereditary chiefs of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation to participate in talking circles, where they will share origin stories and reflections on land stewardship. By reclaiming familial chieftainship stories from the land and educating non-Indigenous community members on the importance of being a respectful guest—rather than a settler who perpetuates colonial dynamics—this project supports Sḵwx̱wú7mesh self-determination and aims to foster stronger relationships between newcomers, Canadian-born settlers, and the Squamish Nation.
This study will result in the creation of a docuseries and a children’s book. These resources will empower the Squamish Nation’s hereditary chiefs to share previously less accessible knowledge with current and future generations. The docuseries will be made available not only to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation but also to settlement and community organizations for use in their programming for newcomers and settlers to support reconciliation. The children’s book is designed for use in the classrooms of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh elementary school and for children and family audiences more broadly.
Research Questions
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh hereditary chiefs will be invited to reflect on the following questions:
- What are the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Squamish Nation families’ traditional leadership stories?
- If there was something you wanted children to know in seven generations, what would it be?
- How can uninvited guests best show respect and care for the land?
Methods
- Art-Based Methods (Weaving Workshops)
- Autoethnography
- Oral History
- Talking Circles
Collaborators
- Principal Investigator: Chepximiya Siyam Chief Janice George, Hereditary Chief, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation
- Sussan Yáñez, Cultural Facilitator (Co-Investigator)
- Antje Ellermann, Co-Director, UBC Centre for Migration Studies (Co-Investigator)
Outputs
Weaving Workshops
On April 20, April 27, and May 4, CMS hosted a series of weaving workshops led by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) master weavers and community leaders, Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George and Skwetsimeltxw Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph. Held over three consecutive Saturdays in April and May, the workshops provided nine hours of immersive, hands-on instruction in Coast Salish wool weaving. Participants learned foundational techniques while crafting their own wool wall hangings, guided by the expertise of the weavers.
Project Status
This project is currently in the Planning phase.
Featured News
This research was undertaken thanks in part to funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.