09/03/2025
Ha7lh skwáyel ta néwyap tn síiyay̓, iy s7eḵw’í7tel iy siiyúxwa iy síiy̓am̓ Is'gh'li-ya kwi en kwshámin, Anthony Joseph kwi en sna, tiná7 chen tl'a St'a7mes úxwumixw, nilh en elhtách Melody Joseph iy Tom Harry kwis snaswit, nilh en selsí7l Larry iy Rose Joseph iy Ernie iy Gwen Harry kwis snaswit.
Good day to you all, friends, family, elders, chiefs, my name is Edward "Anthony" Joseph, and my ancestral name is Is'gh'li-ya. I share this name with my younger brother, Russel, and my cousin, Nigale, from my Snuneymuxw family. I come from the St'a7mes village. My parents are Melody Joseph and Tom Harry. My grandparents are Larry and Rose Joseph, and Ernie and Gwen Harry. I share this introduction with you because this is how our elders made a connection to who you were in the community. They may not know you, but they often knew who your parents and grandparents were. They also had humorous and inspiring story work to share with you.
I raise my hands in thanks to my dear auntie Joy Joseph-McCullough for nominating me to be a candidate for the Squamish Nation Council in this fall's upcoming election. I am forever grateful to you for your time, patience, and teachings, which have moulded me into the confident and capable leader I am today. I have always been passionate about our Squamish Education team and its mission to make school a safe environment for our indigenous learners to learn and feel proud of who they are. Over the years, as a traditional speaker, I have learned and practiced the protocols for various Sḵwx̱wú7mesh ceremonies (such as pole raisings, blanketing, celebration potlatches, and funerals). I have learned that speaking on behalf of our families is a tremendous honour and that being a healthy role model also goes hand in hand with this role. Through many meetings and ceremonies, I have developed a powerful voice to advocate for our youth, their parents, my education team, and our community.
When I first joined the education team, I seized the opportunity to earn my Provincial Instructors Diploma from Vancouver Community College with other education team members by 2011. In 2019, I returned to school to earn my Master of Education from Simon Fraser University in 2021. I earned my Language Proficiency Diploma in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim from Simon Fraser University in 2023.
In 2010, I learned how to weave wool from my auntie Siyal-tenaat, Joy Joseph McCullough and my younger sister Rose Probst. I am thankful for these teachings, as wool weavings are essential to traditional ceremonies. It is also grounding for me to weave, as my ancestors witness and help guide my workflow and designs. I have also learned Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, how to harvest medicine (such as red cedar, yellow cedar, devil's club), weave cedar, practice traditional story work, do leatherwork, strengthen my passion for Coast Salish art, and practice traditional drum songs and dances.
With 15 years of experience in education, I have developed a deep understanding of how we are building and holding up tomorrow's leaders by helping them regain their inherent right to their culture. As a result, they can build resilience to walk in two worlds. My education career has included roles such as Male-At-Risk Youth Worker, advocate for Indigenous students, Boys Group Leader, Culture Camp Leader, Squamish Valley PAC member, Lead Singer of Welh Tim̓á Kewusum, Squamish Valley Peacekeeper, Lacrosse coach, and Drop-in Basketball Program Facilitator. Wearing multiple hats within the community has allowed me to gain insights into the Squamish Nation's operations and our members' needs.
I am running as a candidate in the upcoming election because I am a passionate and educated cultural leader who wants to help make positive changes. I am a natural problem solver who has gained the necessary voice, interpersonal skills, and tools to be an asset for our current and future generations. I also know what it takes to work as a team to accomplish goals one step at a time. A great example of this is when I first joined the education team, our First Nations student high school graduation rate was at 35%. Within a few years, our team raised that graduation rate to the highest in the province at 100%. It has remained among the highest First Nations grad rates ever since. It is one of the many achievements I am proud of in my career.
My leadership style is characterized by approachability, empathy, honesty, and a strong commitment to transparency. I am a patient listener who values integrity, dedication, and teamwork. If elected, I am committed to bringing these values to my role as a Councillor. Fostering an inclusive environment begins with listening to the concerns of the Squamish Nation community members. I am dedicated to ensuring that every voice is heard and respected, as this is essential for building a collaborative and inclusive community. You can trust that I will lead with these principles at the forefront of my work, always putting the needs and concerns of our community first.
If elected, I will focus on policy priorities for our community's development. These include equity for all, housing our people, creating a healthy food program, building a wellness center, expanding cultural community, supporting youth in education and sports, and ensuring that projects such as the St'a7mes longhouse and elders center are finished on time. I am committed to addressing these issues and working towards a better future for the Squamish Nation.
#1 - Equity for All – I have heard and read many concerns from members who feel invisible and excluded because they live off reserve. This issue concerns half of the Squamish Nation living off reserve; everyone should benefit from what the Squamish Nation offers, such as receiving fish food or participating in health, wellness, language, and cultural opportunities. We need to get familiar with our people's inequities to get to the root of the problem. Then we can address and promote an equitable community for all Squamish Nation members. I want to assure you that I am deeply committed to this cause, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that all our members feel valued and included.
#2—Housing our People—Addressing our housing issues is a top priority for me. Housing is an urgent and pressing issue within the Squamish Nation, especially with today's constantly increasing living standards, and it demands our immediate attention. I am committed to working with the BC Housing Society and other housing providers to maximize housing opportunities for all members, regardless of marital status. Building from there, I would like to look at our options: self-finance, rent-to-own apartments/townhouses/duplexes, a small home community, and an elder community.
#3—Create a Healthy Food Program—I would push to create a healthy food program where community members can go to a communal commercial space for cooking and food storage classes. At this location, they can receive healthy produce that is readily available year-round, either in the cupboards or in a commercial cooler. This initiative would lower both the high living standards and the stress of the rapidly rising cost of food. It would also promote healthier awareness and diets in our community.
#4 - Creation of a Squamish Nation Wellness Center - I have lost too many close family and friends to drugs and alcohol. It's disheartening to learn that some are in a position to receive help but pass while waiting to be accepted into a Wellness program. Patients can learn many beneficial skills in a wellness center to help them heal. Patients can also learn and practice culture and language from teachers who carry these gifts. I have met many inspiring cultural leaders who have overcome their addictions to drugs and alcohol. In time, they may find an artistic or cultural gift to give them the strength to fight the good fight and inspire others.
#5 - Improving Our Cultural Community—I deeply respect our cultural community, such as the Shaker Church. Shakers are one of our closest spiritual supports to the Creator. They always support our families by supplying medicine with bells, candles, and songs. However, there are just a handful of dedicated Shakers, and the workload can sometimes be tiresome for such a small group. They will need more community members to continue the good work. I will also support the building of the St'a7mes longhouse. Our local syéwen have needed a space to take care of their indian spirit for a long time. This longhouse will provide medicine for the community and family from near and far. I am committed to advocating for the improvement and expansion of our cultural community, and I sincerely appreciate our dedicated members' work.
#6 - Support Youth through Education—I will also support youth who nurture their gifts and earn a post-secondary degree. I would advocate for readily available positions that allow them to return to give back to their community. This advocacy could involve working with local businesses and institutions to create job opportunities for our youth. Some of these roles could be teachers and nurses, possibly for an elder center with room to expand for long-term care.
#7—Support Youth Athletics—Lacrosse is a significant strength for the Squamish Nation. However, we have lacked an actual lacrosse box in the Squamish Valley since 2003. This box was built with grant monies for those unaware and was situated at the end of Jimmy Jimmy Road on Waiwakum reserve. I would push for a new lacrosse box in the Squamish Valley and try to have more fundraisers to support our amazing young athletes' athletic endeavours.
I raise my hands in thanks for considering my candidacy. I am excited to serve the Squamish Nation people by contributing my skills and passion to our people's success. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Is'gh'li-ya
Edward "Anthony" Joseph
