The Role of the Squamish Nation Council, Explained
The governance of the Squamish Nation is fundamental for safeguarding resources and building for the future. Here’s the critical facts for understanding the Squamish Nation Council's Role
Who is the Squamish Nation?
The Squamish Nation is a First Nation that has inhabited the Pacific Northwest region for thousands of years around the present-day City of Vancouver and Squamish Valley. The community has developed a self-governing system of governance committed to upholding our people's traditional values while promoting the community's current needs. The Squamish Nation Council is critical in providing strategic leadership to the community and ensuring its resources and governance are well managed.
Our governance has evolved from historical pre-European contact to a system of government imposed by Canadian officials to contemporary systems chosen by the Squamish People as an expression of our self-determination to be self-governing. We decided to opt-in to use the authority granted under various Canadian and Provincial legislation, but we, more importantly, also exercise the powers and authorities given to us by our people. But many may wonder what the responsibilities of the Squamish Nation Council are.
The Council's Role in Governance
The Council has a range of responsibilities outlined in the Squamish Nation Election & Referendum Law passed in 2018 and the Squamish Nation Council Governance Policy, recently updated in April 2023. One of the primary roles of the Council is to provide strategic leadership by advancing, guiding, and protecting the vision of the Squamish People for the Squamish Nation. This includes approving annual budgets and financial plans for the Squamish Nation and its entities and governing the Squamish Nation administration through oversight and monitoring. Additionally, the Council appoints individuals to various committees, working groups, or boards.
Responsibilities of the Council
The Council safeguards the Squamish Nation's resources and ensures they are well-stewarded. This includes approving annual operating and capital budgets and major economic development project proposals. The Council works closely with senior staff to create an inventory of key policy and strategic issues for discussion and the development and approval of action plans, including timelines for senior staff to report to the Council regarding the progress of action plans.
To illustrate this, the Squamish Nation’s strategic plan called Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw 2026 is a critical document for the overall Squamish Nation. It’s a 72-page ambitious statement about the view of the Nation as it leads into the future. The strategic plan was developed over three months in 2022 at meetings where numerous stakeholders were facilitated on key questions to influence the shape of the document. Council participated, as well as staff from senior management across many divisions, departments, and entities. Eventually, the Council approved a final draft that incorporated everyone’s input. It now sets out around 70 goals and objectives to be implemented between 2022-2026 by the Squamish Nation’s administration. Council then plays a key role in overseeing the development of an action plan for each objective, monitoring its progress as it's implemented, and eventually updating the strategic plan to show its progress over time.
Council members are expected to conduct themselves accountable and fairly, consistent with Squamish Nation policies and procedures. This includes ensuring that all Squamish Nation policies, procedures, bylaws, regulations, rules, directives, guidelines, authorizations, standards, declarations, notices, requirements, and directions for all departments are developed and maintained. Additionally, the Council is responsible for conducting periodic reviews of the Squamish Nation's policies and procedures and amending them occasionally.
The Council is also responsible for identifying and minimizing reasonably foreseeable risks to the Squamish Nation and seeking advice from staff and other professionals as required to develop action plans to minimize such risks. They are also responsible for ensuring that appropriate processes and mechanisms are in place to minimize and prevent financial and other liabilities to the Squamish Nation and, if required, modify operational or other plans accordingly.
Key Responsibilities of the Squamish Nation Council
One of the critical roles of the Council is ensuring that accountability, transparency, and good governance are upheld in Squamish Nation policies and procedures. Council members are expected to conduct periodic reviews of the Squamish Nation's policies and procedures and amend such policies and procedures from time to time. Additionally, the Council is responsible for setting out performance expectations and salaries for senior staff, providing an annual performance evaluation, and providing direction and guidance to the senior staff in the execution of their duties.
The Council is also responsible for establishing relevant programs and services to meet the priority needs of Squamish Nation membership and ensure adequate human and financial resources are in place to deliver these programs and services. This requires the Council to make critical decisions on time to meet the community's needs. Some hypothetical examples of the Council's responsibilities and duties include approving the construction of a community center, reviewing and amending policies on land management, and overseeing the budget for a significant economic development project.
What is the Squamish Nation Council Not Responsible For?
The Squamish Nation Council is not responsible for specific areas or functions for which divisions, departments, or entities are responsible. For example, the Council is not responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Squamish Nation administration, which is the Chief Administrative Officer's responsibility and their staff's responsibility. The Council is also not responsible for managing individual programs and services provided by the Squamish Nation, such as health services, housing programs, or education programs, as separate departments within the Squamish Nation administration manage these. The Council is responsible for setting the overall direction and policy agenda for the Squamish Nation and ensuring that the administration and other entities of the Nation are operating following Squamish Nation policies and procedures.
Unfortunately, many community members may perceive Council’s role as more hands-on than it. We’re known to receive phone calls, emails, or even direct messages from community members seeking financial assistance or immediate aid for help, like paying for a hotel room due to unforeseen emergencies or wanting to complain about being denied for a program and service. However, Council doesn’t intervene in individual complaints or issues but is tasked with focusing on the “big picture” issues. Council will often redirect messages from community members to the appropriate department to contact and discuss their issues with. It is always important for Council to hear about issues, concerns, and challenges we face as a community and consider this feedback as it performs its primary responsibility of providing strategic leadership by advancing, guiding, and protecting the vision of the Squamish People for the Squamish Nation.
The Importance of the Squamish Nation Council in Building a Strong Community
In summary, the Council plays a vital role in the Squamish Nation's governance system, providing strategic leadership, managing resources, ensuring accountability and transparency, and identifying and mitigating risks. Council members must conduct themselves accountable and fairly and uphold the traditional and contemporary values of the Squamish Nation. By doing so, they can help to ensure that the community thrives and continues to meet the needs of its members.
Next week, I’ll write about the role of the Squamish Nation Council Chairperson, explained.