How did the Squamish Lilwat Cultural Centre project come about?
In 1997, the Resort Municipality of Whistler engaged the Lil’wat Nation to discuss opportunities for First Nations participation and presence in Whistler. The highlight of the meeting was the Cultural Centre property long-term land lease and significant property tax and development cost concessions negotiated with the province. In 1999, the Lil’wat Nation met with the Squamish Nation to discuss issues of land use and planning in areas of traditional territory overlap. The Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation signed a ‘Protocol Agreement’ in 2001. The focus of this historic Protocol Agreement was to identify and investigate new economic opportunities for the mutual benefit of both Nations. Through joint decision-making, each Nation can express mutual respect for other’s historic presence in the region, shared history and culture, and protect our unique rights to Aboriginal title. Under the Protocol Agreement, we joined together to develop the Cultural Centre. The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural
