SQUAMISH, BRITISH COLUMBIA

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'Squamish' (2006 census population 14,949) is a community in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway. The population of the Squamish census agglomeration is 15,256.^[1]
Forestry has traditionally been the main industry in the area, and the town's largest employer was the Western Forest Products pulp mill. However, Western Pulp, Squamish Operation permanently ceased operation on January 26, 2006.^[2]. In recent years, Squamish has also become popular with Vancouver residents escaping the increased cost of living in that city, less than one hour away by highway.

Contents

Sḵwxwú7mesh

Activities

Politics

Education

Social and cultural

Notes

External links

Surrounding municipalities

Sḵwxwú7mesh

Main articles: Sḵwxwú7mesh

The Sḵwxwú7mesh, (or Squamish) is the name of the Indigenous or First Nations people who have inhabited at this part of southwest BC (including North and West Vancouver) since before the time of contact with Europeans. Previously named Newport, Squamish is the European pronunciation of ''Skwxwú7mesh'', the traditional name. The translation of ''Skwxwú7mesh'' is "people of sacred drinking water".

Activities

Tourist attractions include the Stawamus Chief, a huge cliff-faced granite massif favoured by rock climbers. As well as over 300 climbing routes on the Chief proper, a majority of which require traditional climbing protection, there are also steep hiking trails around the back to access the three peaks that makeup the massif, all giving great views of Howe Sound and the surrounding Coast Mountains. In all, between Shannon Falls, Murrin Park, The Malamute, and the little Smoke Bluffs, there are well over 1200 rock climbing routes in the Squamish area, (and another 300 or so climbs north of Squamish on the road to Whistler). In recent years, Squamish has also become a major destination for bouldering, with over 1000 problems described in the local guidebook.
Another activity for which Squamish is well known is mountain biking, with over 600 trails suitable to all abilities surrounding the town. One of the more famous events supported by the Mountain Biking Community is the Test Of Metal a 67 km cross country mountain bike race held in late June every year.
It is limited to 800 riders and the 2007 race sold out in under an hour.
Other Tourist Attractions in Squamish include Shannon Falls waterfall; river-rafting on the Elaho and Squamish rivers; wind surfing and kite surfing at the mouth of the Squamish River; and bald eagle viewing in the nearby community of Brackendale, which has one of North America's largest populations of bald eagles. Squamish is also a popular destination among Greater Vancouver hikers, mountaineers and backcountry skiers due to the multiple vast provincial parks in the surrounding Coast Mountains.

Politics

The current mayor of Squamish is Ian Sutherland. Previous mayors include Corrine Lonsdale (1993-2002), Egon Tobus (1990-1993), and Phil Turner (1983-1990). The municipality is a member of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
On the provincial level, Squamish is in the West Vancouver-Garibaldi electoral district. The MLA is Joan McIntyre (BC Liberal). She was first elected in the 2005 provincial election.
Federally, Squamish is a part of the West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country electoral district. It is represented by Blair Wilson (Liberal), who took office during Canada's 2006 federal election.

Education

Squamish has six elementary schools: Brackendale, Garibaldi Highlands, Mamquam, Squamish Elementary, Stawamus Elementary and Valleycliffe Elementary. There are two secondary schools — Howe Sound Secondary School and Don Ross Secondary School — as well as the board office for School District 48 Howe Sound.
Capilano College offers post-secondary education through its Squamish campus, including diploma programs and university transfer courses. Quest University Canada, currently under construction, is scheduled to open in September 2007. It will be Canada's first private, non-profit, secular university.

Social and cultural

Squamish is home to a variety of faiths. There are eleven churches and religious organizations, including several Christian denominations, as well as the Bahá'í Faith, a Sikh temple, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Squamish is a filming location of the popular ABC's romantic comedy-drama television series ''Men In Trees''. Squamish is the home to the Squamish Cougars of the WHA Junior West Hockey League.

Notes

1. Statistics Canada. Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data Retrieved on: July 30, 2007.
2. Western Forest Products Western Forest Products Announces Q1 2006 Results/Strategic Acquisitions Closed. Press Release, May 12, 2006. retrieved on: July 30, 2007.

External links

★ District of Squamish

★ Howe Sound School District

★ Sea To Sky News, Squamish's Independent Free Newspaper

★ Climbing in Squamish

★ The Squamish Chief – Squamish's Newspaper

★ The Squamish Access Society - protecting public access to Squamish climbing areas

★ Imagine the Sea to Sky Corridor, part of Simon Fraser University's Imagine BC series

★ Western Pulp - located in Squamish

★ Quest University Canada

Surrounding municipalities