"Kayachtn is the word for welcome in the Squamish language.Welcome is what we say to the world as we approach the 2010 Winter Games. Welcome is what we say to all peoples who want to witness the beauty and strength of our traditional lands.

As part of this welcome we have prepared a gift-a gift to the world. We have identified the last pristine areas of our traditional territory and set them aside as a natural legacy, for all time. They are called Wild Spirit Places-places where the vitality, beauty, and power of nature is still strong..."

-Chief Bill Williams, Squamish First Nation

This week in Whistler with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, we were raising awareness about the Wild Spirit Places. These are areas in the Squamish/Whistler area that the Committee has collaborated with the Squamish Nation Youth Ambassadors to protect.

The Squamish Nation is currently made up of approximately 3,000 Salish people. In 2001, this Nation created a land use planning process for the wilderness of their territory in response to their growing concern about development and logging in the area. Consequently, the Squamish Nation Band Council designated Wild Spirit places that would be protected from logging and industrial development.

There are currently seven areas proposed that have Wild Spirit Place status. Altogether, they include 100,000 hectares of beautiful snow-topped mountains, glacier rivers, ancient forests, and endangered species. Some of the animals residing within them include Grizzly Bears, salmon, wolves, Bald Eagles, moose, and Northern Spotted Owls.

While the Wild Spirit Places are protected areas, they are not parks since they haven't been designated by the provincial or federal governments. Instead, they are created by the Squamish Nation government to encompass more than official parks. Along with protecting ecosystems and species, these areas have also been put in place with the goal of conserving and showcasing the Squamish Nation's spiritual and cultural landscapes, including sacred areas and locations of traditional traditional stories and ancient hunting grounds.

So far the government has not yet officially recognized the Wild Spirit Place designations.

To put a little pressure on them, contact BC Premier Gordon Campbell at:
Legislative Buildings, Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
premier@gov.bc.ca
(250) 387-0087

For more info, check out:
www.squamish.net
www.wildernesscommittee.org