Latest news with #Squamish
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wilmer Flores' RBI double
Newsroom Ready: B.C., Vancouver and First Nations partner for 2026 World Cup British Columbia's government, the City of Vancouver and three First Nations have signed an agreement to co-operate on hosting seven World Cup games in the city next year. The deal involving the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations is to ensure "interests of the nations are reflected" in planning and hosting the games. (June 27, 2025) 2:17 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Hamilton Spectator
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Squamish Nation regains 20,000 hectares of ancestral land
For video, see: Two decades of planning and negotiations result in an historic land use agreement with the province. History was made Thursday with a massive land agreement between the province and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Earlier Thursday afternoon, the province announced the signing of a land use agreement ( X̱ay Temíxw ) with the Nation that adds 20,000 hectares of legally protected land—equal to about 50 Stanley Parks, or nearly double the land area of Vancouver—to the Nation's territory. Among the officials and attendees at the long-awaited announcement, which took place at the summit of the Sea-to-Sky Gondola on June 26, was Nation council chairperson Khelsilem, councillor and spokesperson Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams , Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill , and B.C.'s Minister of Forests and deputy government house leader Ravi Parmar . The historic agreement conserves 33 Siiyamin ta Skwxwu7mesh (cultural sites) and landmarks, covering approximately 4,250 hectares. This designation preserves these areas for Squamish cultural use, meaning there will be no forestry, third-party land rights or industrial activity on this land. Squamish Nation member and lawyer Aaron Bruce has been working on the project for almost 20 years and explained that the rules around the 33 cultural sites ensure no new tenures will be allowed on the lands. 'If there's a tenure in the area already, because there are tenures on the land base where we did negotiate these, they would be allowed to run their term out, but then they wouldn't be able to be renewed unless this Squamish Nation agreed to that,' Bruce told The Squamish Chief. The agreement further establishes six new special cultural management areas covering approximately 16,000 hectares, including on the west side of Howe Sound, Shannon Basin and Alice Ridge, which would be subject to enhanced cedar and other old forest stewardship and other measures that further the Nation's cultural interests. This also allows for logging to occur within those areas but under a strict set of rules. 'Just generally, it allows logging to happen in those areas, but there's a set of special rules, which really focus on the old growth on culturally modified trees, and to avoid those areas within the special cultural management area,' Bruce said. 'Rather than just saying a straight 'no,' the logging proponent has an opportunity to selectively log within the rules.' Bruce said that spiritual bathing, harvesting cedar bark plants, or special hunting could be part of the old forest stewardships. At the announcement, Nation councillor Williams said the agreement would provide additional protection and management oversight in key areas across the Squamish territory. 'The agreement also includes provisions for future work on the shoreline and marine areas within our territory. [It is] a major step forward in asserting our Nation's role as stewards of our lands and ensuring our culture sites and key environmental areas are protected for future generations,' Williams said. Similarly, Khelsilem said the land agreement marked a historic achievement for the Squamish Nation. 'To get to this point, to see ... that we are, in effect, protecting the equivalent of 50 Stanley Parks through this agreement with the province is a huge, amazing achievement for us,' he said. 'This work is so critical and integral to who we are as Squamish People, because who we are is defined by what we do on our land.' Khelsilem said the agreement would provide protection for ancient forests that are between 1,400 to 8,000 years old. 'We're also protecting areas that have important sacred and cultural value to our people, that have been shared and documented by our Elders and our people,' he said. '[These are] places that our ancestors have used for generations, for spiritual training, for cultural training, for the upbringing of our young people, so that they can understand who they are and where they come from. 'We have very few places that we can call our own within our territory to practice our spiritual beliefs and our cultural practices, and we have to stand together as Squamish People to protect those areas, so that our people, not just today but future generations, will be able to experience the gifts that our ancestors had for us. 'To be able to bathe in those creeks, to have a relationship with those mountains, to be in those forests, to harvest our medicines and our tools and the things that we have sustained us … these things are so important to our people.' Khelsilem also noted that while a portion of the 33 cultural sites and landmarks may be hard to access, this is due to their level of sacredness. 'It's a truly proud moment for all of us to celebrate that we are protecting our territory through partnership and through a strong relationship, through a recognition of title and rights, and we're moving past those other eras where we were denied and ignored and erased from our territory,' he said. Parmar said the work behind the agreement was to create a place for the future Squamish Nation generations. 'You have to think seven generations ahead. You have to think over 100 years ahead. And that's what we're doing with this work here today,' the forestry minister said. 'By honouring Squamish Nation's connection to the land and applying their values to forest management, we are charting a new path forward that should be acknowledged and celebrated. 'A path that supports both economic opportunity and prosperity and environmental stewardship for our province and a future rooted in respect reconciliation and that economic prosperity that we're all working towards,' he said. Parmar also told The Squamish Chief that the provincial government will continue to work with the Squamish Nation on the agreement for years to come. 'Now that this agreement is signed, our work doesn't stop. Our work continues with the Squamish Nation and all across the province,' he said. 'We've got incredible people in the forest service who are working hard each and every day to support the Squamish Nation on their stewardship visions.' Meanwhile, Minister Neill said time has shown many people that nature is one of greatest allies in adapting to climate change and supporting a healthy community. 'For me, one of the most compelling aspects of this agreement are the protections and the stewardship of the riparian and wetland ecosystems as we understand how vital and critical they are to the success and health of our province,' she said. 'Enhanced stewardship practices, including protecting old growth, ensuring the availability of forest resources for cultural activities and the protection and restoration of our salmon. Bringing the salmon home again. The province has also committed to working in future with the Squamish Nation in leadership on areas of interest within the marine foreshore environment as well.' •According to the Nation, the Xay Temixw land use plan was completed more than two decades ago, in 2001, and finalized for release to the public by the Nation council in 2023. The plan identified large areas to be protected from forestry activities and outlined a general land use planning vision for the Squamish territory. •In 2007, the Squamish Nation and the provincial government entered into a land use planning agreement to resolve some of the areas for protection, but several areas identified by the Nation were not resolved at that time. •In 2021, the Nation's rights and title staff began Phase 2 negotiations with the provincial government to address the unresolved areas. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Three course records broken in 2025 Pemby Pounder trail race
The Pemby Pounder trail race returned to Pemberton on Saturday, June 21, drawing a record number of participants and delivering fast times despite overcast skies. 'When we woke in the night before the race day we were fearful of a repeat of Run Comfy Numb's rainy day,' race organizers wrote to Pique. 'However, by 6 a.m., the rain had disappeared, and although clouds unfortunately obscured the magnificent Mount Currie views, the temperature was perfect for running!' Three course records fell in this year's event, which marked the race's third edition and its first under the new Pemby Pounder name. Organizers noted the rebrand didn't slow growth—registrations were up 20 per cent over 2024, driven largely by increased interest in the nine-kilometre race. 'Three years in… 100 runners in 2023, 200 in 2024 and 235 in 2025. Let's keep this ball rolling,' organizers wrote on Instagram. Victoria's Christopher Walsh defended his men's 9k title and smashed his own course record from 2023, clocking in at 39:36. Walsh remains the only runner to break 40 minutes on the course. Squamish's Timothy Maclean finished close behind in 40:04, while Whistler's Toby Garrick rounded out the podium at 41:45. In the women's 9k, Maya Fleury of Saskatoon set a new course record with a winning time of 46:09. Vancouver's Esther Krauzer placed second at 46:50, despite taking a tumble during the race. She credited her competitive spirit for carrying her through. Squamish's Elodie Chatel, the previous record holder, finished just behind at 47:05. Runners of all ages took part. The event saw a surge in youth participation. Pemberton's Liam McNolty was the first U18 male to finish, placing sixth overall with a time of 45:42. Fellow local Veya Stevens claimed the female youth title in 59:08. Two 12-year-old runners also completed the course, adding to the day's family-friendly atmosphere. And 79-year-old Agnes Benna of Vancouver crossed the finish line 58th out of 70 women. Organizers highlighted this year's family participation. Father-daughter duo Ian and Devon Smith have completed the 9k together every year. This year, they shaved 10 minutes off their previous best times. In the 22-km 'Half Pounder,' the men's 2024 champion, Charlie Sikkema, returned to break his own course record by just under three minutes, finishing in 1:56:38. Whistler's Tom Kemma finished second at 2:11:45, followed closely by Freddie Sawyers at 2:12:13. On the women's side, Kate Butcher took the win in 2:25:14, though Pemberton's Claire Dewar's 2023 record of 2:14:16 still stands. Pemberton's Coline Heyden came in second at 2:28:12, followed by Danielle Butterfield at 2:31:37. Organizers thanked the volunteers, spectators and sponsors—including Athletic Brewing, Redbull Canada, WakeWater, Gradient Coffee, Formthotics, ReUp, Coast Optics and the Pemberton Valley Supermarket, for making the event possible. For full results and more photos of the event, visit . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
ICYMI: Squamish business beat: Always a nice day for golf—new indoor simulation venue opens
An alternate golf facility has opened on Discovery Way this week, boasting simulation technology and Scottish heritage. See video- The Squamish Valley Golf Club is a local favourite, but what do you do when the infamous Squamish rain just won't let up or when you want some privacy to brush up on your putting skills before hitting the local course?' Well, the new Swings Indoor Golf, located on Discovery Way, has you covered. Swings is the brainchild of native Scotsman turned long-time Squamish resident, Fraser Robertson, who first thought of the business venture last summer, before starting the venue's construction in February. Robertson grew up in Fife, Scotland, in the U.K. where he played outdoor golf with his family for years before moving to B.C., and he has continued to play since, observing how the unpredictable Squamish weather can limit many outdoor hobbies and activities for some people. 'I've seen golf get busier and busier in Squamish,' Robertson said. 'I felt there was room for another practice facility in town to make [golf] more accommodating and accessible.' Robertson explained how some people have reached out to him, describing how golf intimidates them, especially when they're first starting to play. 'You may not want to play in front of a line-up of people, so this is the perfect place to come on your own,' he said. The venue uses a simulation program called Trackman to enable you to step into the world of virtual reality (VR), and choose any type of scenery you wish; furthermore, you may choose the weather and time of day, which syncs to the pace of your game. Kids also get a mini putt simulation, alongside other programs such as bowling. The Squamish Chief engaged in a taster of the simulation at the front part of the venue known as The Croft, where there is a green space for hybrid practice. The Croft, meaning a small agricultural space in Scotland, has a platform with real golf balls and clubs (bring your own or rent them), also a sloped putting green with flags and holes—or cups, if we're being technical. The screen backdrop is for the graphics, and where the simulation also displays your score and the distance of your strokes, calculating, of course, your individual aim and power. That's just one part of the venue; the back of the facility consists of more social and historical elements. The Bothy, named after rustic huts used for community events and refuge by Scottish Highland farmers, is a social lounge area with live televised golf games, and a simulation platform identical to the adjacent The Croft, also a bar for soft drinks and snacks. The Bothy is also home to Robertson's merchandise display of apparel and stickers; he has also gathered a collection of books about Scottish golfing history and personal places of interest, as well as some golfing relics. Robertson showed The Squamish Chief his antique mashie niblicks , dating from the early 20 century, found, of all places, in Fort Langley, and on Cleveland Avenue. Robertson said they were hand-forged only a few miles or hours from where he grew up in Fife, something he said is rather cathartic for him. 'I kind of wanted to go for timeless, old-school Scottish golf club vibes,' Robertson said, unmistakably referring in part to the textured, green tartan wallpaper in the bathroom. As for what makes golf such an engaging sport, he said that the game isn't about perfection, but rather self-competition, whilst balancing out players' abilities. The venue's name—Swings—Robertson said, was inspired by the now closed down Garibaldi Springs golf course, which is now becoming a housing development. Garibaldi Swings evolved to just Swings, Robertson explained, whilst gesturing to the defunct course's carved wooden relic in his collection, which he said bears the Indigenous logo for Garibaldi Springs. 'This place will be a sanctuary, available to everyone [with] coaching clinics as a huge part of the goal of this place,' he said, before elaborating on opportunities also for event-based games, and recalling recently hosting Howe Sound High School's golf team for an end-of-year celebration. Your time at Swings can be booked on the venue's website or scanned onsite via a QR code, for 30-minute to three-hour time-slots, with four people maximum per set. Players receive a confirmation email with a unique access code for the front door, and for unlocking their session; monthly members will receive their first hour for free. Swings Indoor Golf is located in unit 125 at 39455 Discovery Way, and is available for bookings 24/7. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada. The Squamish Business Beat was developed in response to local demand for more business-focused news. To be considered, please reach out to news@ . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
‘Public safety issue': Hikers, bikers barging onto closed trails near Squamish wildfire
A road barrier is seen in Squamish, B.C., as crews battle the Dryden Creek wildfire. The B.C. Wildfire Service is sounding the alarm about outdoor enthusiasts disregarding trail closures near the Dryden Creek blaze burning outside Squamish. Officials posted a public notice over the weekend urging hikers and mountain bikers to 'please abide' by the closures – both for their own safety and to avoid interfering with firefighting operations. 'There's the potential for fire-weakened trees to fall, and rocks that are no longer being held by tree roots rolling downhill,' said Jennifer Lohmeyer, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre. Crews are also using the closed trails – which are considered worksites – and that could lead to 'public and responder conflicts' if people disregard posted signage telling them to keep away, Lohmeyer added. 'For example, mountain bikers travelling at high speed could collide with responders on the trail,' she said. Firefighters Firefighters are seen during Coastal First Nations Wildland Firefighter Boot Camp in spring 2024. (B.C. Wildfire Service) Officials acknowledged it is a 'challenging situation' given there are sometimes numerous access points to the trails, and crews are still working to get signage up at each one – but in many cases, hikers and mountain bikers are barging onto the trails on purpose. 'People even moved barriers that were put in place to indicate that the trail was closed,' Lohmeyer said. Firefighters have also had to waste valuable time turning scofflaws around, and in some cases have been forced to change tactics – such as delaying the felling of hazardous trees because members of the public might be nearby. Closed trails included those west of Jack's Trail toward Debecks Hill, according to a notice posted by the District of Squamish on Monday. Lohmeyer urged hikers and mountain bikers to check the Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. website for the most up-to-date information on closures before heading out during wildfire season. 'You never know if a new trail is going to be closed,' she said. 'If it is safe, we will open up the trails as we can.' The Dryden Creek wildfire was discovered on June 9, and spread to an estimated 59 hectares. The B.C. Wildfire Service has classified the blaze as under control, meaning it is not projected to spread beyond its current perimeter.
