Bridgitte (00:01):
Welcome back to GVPOD, Greater Vancouver's Business podcast. I'm Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. We're continuing our series on the future of Vancouver and talking about the Sen̓áḵw development at the south end of the Burrard Street Bridge. I'm joined by Wilson Williams, elected counselor and spokesperson for the Squamish Nation, the nation leading this historic development project. Thanks so much for joining me today.
Wilson (00:29):
Ah, glad to be here, Bridgitte. Thank you.
Bridgitte (00:32):
So this is the largest First Nation's economic development project in Canadian history. I mean, I can't underscore that. It's, it's a really big project, 6,000 homes. So why don't we start at the beginning of this story? How did this come to be?
Wilson (00:51):
Well, we've always referenced it, uh, um, and I know it started before my time as an elected official with the nation, but it's always been recognized as, uh, the diamond in a rough, you know. And so it was, uh, in the early two thousands when we were, you know, out of 80 acres, we won a, uh, court case in regards to receiving 10.4 acres back of this, uh, village, village site of our people. And, uh, ever since then, it's been, you know, we are waiting for the right time in regards to what we were gonna do with this land, um, or the future, whether it be the economic sustainability of our people, or we look at, uh, housing our people. Um, what did that look like? And over time, up to the recent years, there's been works on the go, but I don't think, um, meaningful work where our people were fully engaged until recently when 85 or 87% voted in favor of the plan development that we are actually, uh, started already with shovels in the ground. But it was quite a journey for our people in regards to comprehending not only our needs, but what are our future needs, but also incorporating what are the future needs of Vancouver? What does a community look like down the road? Um, you know, and housing is on everyone's
Bridgitte (02:27):
Yeah.
Wilson (02:28):
Their list.You know, sustainable housing. Um, it's the number one priority for our people, and we have a generational plan to move all our people home if they so choose. So within 25 years.
Bridgitte (02:41):
So I imagine that this is a really big piece of that, you know, this, the series that we're embarked on, uh, on this podcast is about how the future of Vancouver is shifting. And when I think about this project, you know, it really is going to change dramatically. But in your perspective, Wilson, like how do you see it as shaping the future?
Wilson (03:05):
Yeah, you know, it's, you know, not just from my perspective and, you know I take on a lot of inherent, responsibilities in regards to being an elected leader. So like, really passing down that baton and, you know, carrying the baton today, Baton today is, you know, we're really looking at redefining our relationship with the outside world, you know, and really looking at how we integrate into the, you know, economy, but also how do we fit in regards to, a redefined Vancouver mm-hmm. . And the model we're looking at is, you know, what's the sustainability? What are the challenges? You know, we want to find that middle ground. And what I was getting at earlier in regards to where we're going, we f our people, were really engaged in supporting a model where we're housing our people and at the same time building economic wealth. So that's the middle ground we found. And it was the right time for our people to move forward with that. And it wasn't leadership's decision, it was the people, the membership that voted in support of this initiative and really realizing that we're at a tipping point as a nation to really move forward with a special development such as this in Sen̓áḵw.
Bridgitte (04:33):
And, you know, I know that every single initiative and project that indigenous communities undertake, it's that seven generations perspective. And so how did that thinking go into this project?
Wilson (04:45):
Yeah, it was, you know, like I said, we really took on a lot of inherit, uh, um, decisions, but also the mindsets of our leadership of the day. You know, before we were a formal elected, uh, system, political system in our nation. There was a hereditary chief set, you know, always fought tooth and nail for protecting who we are and where we come from our, our rights and title, but also really envisioning how we integrate with the, the broader community. You know, we always are challenged by the thoughts of colonialism, residential school. We're at this point of reconciliation where we're, we're at tables today where we're able to have conversations on what our needs are. But not only that, our perspective mm-hmm. , you know, and being, being indigenous to the land and deep, deep rooted with connections to the land and the villages in Vancouver, but also being around for the growth of Vancouver.
(05:44):
And so I think that having that voice really reciprocates, you know, the city of Vancouver in their mindsets and really have an integral part of indigenous, uh, integration as well. So it's not only our indigenous people, our nation really integrating the ways of life of western society or the way of life of Vancouver, but it's the city of Vancouver really adopting and inheriting, you know, really letting in the indigenous feel and aspect to it too. So I really don't just see a strong relationship building, um, that we're, we're down this road of building strong relationships, but I do see the very visual and very feel, the touch and feel of an indigenous perspective being. I cannot wait till Sen̓áḵw is built, where you see the storyboards through this development of who the Squamish people are. And were at the time of, uh, when we lived there, cuz we are since 1913, we're outta sight, outta mind in our own village. So now it's being able to integrate into the broader community and be not only be a good neighbor, but be, um, part of the bigger community that is, which is ultimately a better Canada.
Bridgitte (07:04):
It's really exciting and I can't wait to see it. So try if you can, for people who are listening to paint a picture of what it will look like and what will make this unique.
Wilson (07:18):
Yeah. It's you know, we're looking at the consistency of, we're not just throwing up art and stuff like that from artists. It's actually gonna be a journey.
Bridgitte (07:31):
You used the word storyboard.
Wilson (07:33):
Yeah. Yeah.
Bridgitte (07:34):
I love that.
Wilson (07:35):
Yeah. It's, it's gonna be a journey of history of our people, history of our relationships with, um, Vancouver, our neighboring nations. It's gonna be a story of, you know, consistent with our artwork, consistent with our culture and our traditions. It's gonna be a foundation of a good conversation starter in regards to, Hey, you know you lived…
Bridgitte (08:09):
The design and the aesthetic will be, yeah, an opportunity for reconciliation is what it, it hears. That's what I'm hearing you say.
Wilson (08:17):
Yes, exactly. Uh, it's true. Reconciliation with, with it feels, sky's the limit where, you know, where we're not allowed before times it was, we weren't allowed to practice and celebrate ceremony or share our language. So this'll be a full storyboard sharing proudly of who we are and where we come from, but connecting ourselves to the land and our families that live there and holding them up with empowering our families that live there. Cuz there's a lot of, um, descendants that are, that are with us today from that, from that live there that we wanna empower them, but more importantly empower our nation, our membership and really build the foundation for tomorrow. And carrying that legacy of the spirit of where we've come from. Like I said, that journey, uh, in our history of where we've gotten from the past to where we are today and where we want to go tomorrow. So our méńmen, our children of today would be able to carry that baton for tomorrow and continue the growth of our people in our community and building that legacy that we're starting back on the land.
Bridgitte (09:36):
And you can really see why this is being called historic project. So just some details that I read on the website. So, 10 and a half acres, 6,000 plus rental homes, and the largest net zero carbon residential project in Canada. Uh, this is also an economic development opportunity. Um, you know, how many jobs are we talking about to build this all?
Wilson (09:59):
Yeah, so if I had a concrete number, I'd give it to you, but we're looking at phases. So we're doing phase one and two right now. Okay. We have targets to drain get people their hours on site, but also we have subcontractors that are nation owned businesses that are actually active on site today, like they started in the recent weeks. But, uh, so beyond this targets from the phase one and two, we do want to have opportunities cuz it is gonna be a mixed use development where we have, you know, it's right in downtown Vancouver, close to Grandville Island, right. Sort of right in the midst of everything, all the good things that happen down in Kitsilano where, you know, there's pure opportunities in our, in our, in our site here where we want to create not only jobs but career opportunities for people if they, you know, want to franchise out a store, they want to, uh, you know, take care of the maintenance around the facilities, um, the security aspects. But we really see our people living and thriving. When you say you want to, people are gonna either go to school nearby, whether it's Emily Carr, UBC, but work and play is what I'm getting too. So people want our membership, there'll be an opportunity for them to work around there, work there, play there, go to school there, and be a big part of the community. And it's, um, the numbers. I'd love to come back to you on that and
Bridgitte (11:34):
Safe to say dozens
Wilson (11:35):
Dozens vision there, but
Bridgitte (11:36):
We'll, we'll leave it at dozens and, and, and we'll be more as the phases happen, you know, there's so much opportunity here, but like any project, there's gotta be a few obstacles. When I think of what, uh, some of the obstacles could be, it is about, you're talking about schools, I'm thinking about the infrastructure or putting so many people on such a small parcel of land. How is the nation addressing that, you know, what other kinds of thinking is going into, to density and, and addressing that?
Wilson (12:09):
Yeah, there's, we have a lot of, uh, you know, we, our plans are, everything is not gonna go as smooth as we thought. There's bumps in the road that we've had already, you know, with certain, you know, it's, it's about, you know, people being overwhelmed that we're just, all of a sudden they're, you know, and it starts with education. 
Bridgitte (12:30):
We get, what's the, the old adage Wilson, it's, uh, people, uh, I think people really both love and hate change. It's the thing that they love and the thing that they also most resist. Something like that. .
Wilson (12:42):
Exactly. Yes. So, you know, we come in with a good heart and mind in regards to being a good neighbor and being a good neighbor is being able to engage and communicate with the local community and demographics, but also the local companies, the organizations, the school, like the school board, uh, in regards to sort of, um, we want to hear from them in regards to what their needs are, what you know, and answer their questions. I don't see any question as, um, you know, very hard, as long as we have a clear vision and clear, uh, clear messaging out to the general public. We've done that so already. But I think, uh, as we move forward, we can only get better as we overcome certain challenges, but at the same time, we want to be able to educate and walk with the community at the same time, uh, while we're not only building but starting to move our people down in the, in the area and, uh, growing the community.
Bridgitte (13:46):
And you say that it's, uh, you know, going to be a journey, a phased approach. What is the vision on when it will be fully complete and, um, what's the timeline for that?
Wilson (13:58):
Yeah, I, I know the phases part, you know, we're looking at, uh, phase one and two to be estimated around 2025 or 26. Um, we haven't had the latest and greatest update, but I know things are moving in a good pace now. Uh, potentially the, I think 2028 to 2030, and it could be longer, but that, that was the original, uh, time estimated timeline that, uh, the towers would be done because after the first two, I know it gets more aggressive cuz it's mm-hmm. , uh, everything's sort of, the infrastructure's already set up and stuff. So, um, this is something that, uh, I dunno if it sounds aggressive with the timeline, but it
Bridgitte (14:44):
Well we do have a housing, uh, a critical housing shortage. And so I think urgency is on everybody's mind. So, you know, I I think that there's a lot of appreciation for getting projects done quickly.
Wilson (14:57):
Yeah, exactly. There's one thing I did Ms. Bridgitte, in regards to the area as well. It's very significant to be, uh, a social gathering place historically, and that legacy is actually gonna be brought out and be part of the development as well. You know, like we look at bridging two worlds. We look at bridging, you know, our multiculturalism here in Vancouver and B.C. Uh, we look at taking that, the, the cultural component of the area, uh, the sacredness of it being a gathering place and bringing it out in today's context where we have gatherings of, in the area and ceremony so we can really build those relationships and become a real social, um, piece of, uh, Vancouver's future.
Bridgitte (15:47):
What would you say is one of the biggest challenges right now with this project?
Wilson (15:53):
Yeah, I think, you know, we're, we're continuing down the path for sustainable housing. So we're working with, you know, CMHC, the federal government, uh, we're working with, uh, always seeking out grants and, and so forth. And with all of this, it's just building partnerships to really ensure that all parties that we're, you know, having dialogue with comprehend the full vision. You know, and it's not just the Squamish nation, you know, the City of Vancouver really wants to address the housing crisis. Uh, the federal government Canada wants to address the housing crisis. I'm sure you can ask, you know, one, one and two or maybe even a higher percentage of Vancouver rights that, you know, they want to ha they wanna be living in a sustainable environment rather than our people leaving Vancouver in the lower mainland. How do we strategically look at keeping them home?
(16:48):
And this is beyond the context of my terms that I shared in regards to the nation members, our vision to keep bringing them home. How do we keep our Vancouver rights home where they've grown up, where they've been a part of a, a broad community rather than, you know, finding careers elsewhere and moving elsewhere. So we can have that strong community feel of people that have, have been living here their whole life. Because there's that trend happening where a lot of our people are leaving, right? So we want to, uh, continue building those relationships with, uh, all parties to ensure that we can provide further sustainable housing. We have political leaders right now, like the premier of BC that really is big on housing. We have many others. Uh, the mayor of Vancouver is really big on, um, sustainable housing. So I think we're all speaking the same language. It's just how we get there and find the resources necessary to, uh, implement them, uh, moving forward and strategically, you know, keeping people home, but also inviting people, you know, where people are always with our arms open and welcome, um, as long as uh, people come in a good way as well and reciprocate that good feelings.
Bridgitte (18:05):
Yeah, that alignment around collaboration and partnership is always so key to a successful project. So I guess maybe one final question is, as people are driving through that area over the coming months, you know, going into summer and into fall, when will people be able to see a real dramatic change? You know, how soon, how quickly are things moving?
Wilson (18:29):
Yeah, things are actually moving pretty good at a good pace right now. I would say anywhere from three to six months you'll start seeing more of the visual. When you start getting off the ground and, uh, your, your buildings get a little bit taller than the other ones, and within three to six months you're gonna see, uh, quite an impact to, um, visually, uh, in the area where I'm sure, and we're preparing for more questions and and and so forth. But, uh,
Bridgitte (19:01):
And that engagement continues. Yeah.
Wilson (19:03):
And engagement continues. You know, we have a plan for the fall and we wanna make sure that, uh, that is implemented, um, in a good way. But, you know, it's very exciting just coming from myself and being sort of in the trenches, preparing, preparing this when before we even broke ground or before we even found an official partner that we look, you know, to, to see it today is, is has been quite a journey as well. You know, and I can't wait for us to be able to share that, but share the history so we can really empower not only our membership and our youth, but empower, I like using the term Vancouver rights because, um, we see ourselves as the big broader community as well to strengthen it, but also be a part of the economy. The economy, you know, as we want to build economic wealth, it's gonna build economic wealth for our, our city of Vancouver.
Bridgitte (20:04):
Well, there's no question this is a transformational project. Wilson, thanks so much for taking some time to talk to us about it.
Wilson (20:11):
Oh, excellent. Thank you, Bridgitte. Anytime.