MST Cultural Liaisons Announced

In 2019, we were pleased to include Cultural Liaisons from each of the MST Nations as part of the project team. The Cultural Liaisons are providing advice to the team throughout the planning process. Their contributions, along with those from the Management Committee members, MST Elders, knowledge keepers and community members will inform the ways that MST culture and values will be authentically integrated into the development of the Jericho Lands.

“It is an honour to serve our people as a Cultural Liaison. As a grandmother, I see the opportunities that these projects will provide in terms of careers and prosperity for my grandchildren and their grandchildren. But most of all, I see and feel pride in our people regaining what was taken away from us, and using these lands to be able to take care of one another. The blood that flows through my veins flowed through qiyǝplenǝxʷ, and my family embodies the coming together of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. I look forward to helping bring the footsteps of the past forward, to guide us on a positive path for our future.” – Charleen Grant (Musqueam Indian Band)

“These lands have a deep personal connection for me, as the great-great-granddaughter of Jericho Charlie. People from up and down the coast have talked about their families coming to his longhouse at ʔəy̓alməxʷ/Iy̓álmexw for celebrations. What I enjoy most about my role as a Cultural Liaison is working with the great design teams who are listening carefully to us and are bringing our vision and rich culture to life. I look forward to the day that we can welcome people from all walks of life to share in a modern celebration of our culture on these lands.” – Sxeláltenaat | Adrienne Charlie (Squamish Nation)

“Our three Nations have taken our rightful place on these lands, with an opportunity to finally generate economic prosperity for our people. Our role as Cultural Liaisons is vital to honouring the resilience of our ancestors and making them proud. We serve as a conduit between the Nations and the designers, to make sure our Elders, our youth and all Nation members have a say in what they want to see on the MST lands. We’re bringing our Nations’ collective spiritual energy into our work, and ultimately to the landscape, the pathways and the buildings we will create here.” – Whonoak | Dennis Thomas (Tsleil-Waututh Nation)