Building Relations through Stories - Centre for Migration Studies

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)

L’hen Awtxw Weaving House

Outputs

Weaving Workshops

Skwetsimeltxw Willard ‘Buddy’ Joseph and Chepximiya Siyam’ Chief Janice George

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.

The event aimed to foster cultural awareness and understanding of Indigenous practices on unceded territories. Alongside the technical aspects of weaving, Chief Janice George and Elder Buddy Joseph shared insights into the cultural and ceremonial importance of woven robes within Sḵwx̱wú7mesh traditions, enriching participants’ appreciation of the art and its connection to the land.