A ShiftingCurrent

What makes these achievements so meaningful is not just their scale, but how we got here. Nch’ḵay̓ has matured exponentially as an organization. We have grown our team, developed deep in-house expertise, and increased the number of Squamish People shaping our work from within. We rely far less on external resources than we once did and are navigating complex situations from a place of strength, because we have built the expertise to do so. That capacity to handle difficulty and come out stronger is one of the things I am most proud of.

From the Board’s perspective, our role is to ensure Nch’ḵay̓ has the direction, resources, and support to carry out its mandate with integrity. This year, we spent meaningful time on organizational readiness and partnerships that are positioning the Nation’s assets for long-term success. The Nation’s resources are stewarded with care — managed with diligence, responsibility, and a deep commitment to the values of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).

I am also proud that women hold the majority of executive leadership roles across Nch’ḵay̓ and our Board — a reflection of our values expressed through how we operate every day.

I look forward to building on the exciting momentum of 2025 and remain deeply honoured to serve alongside such a talented, dedicated group of people.

Joy MacPhail
Board Chair

Nch’ḵay̓ was created by the Squamish Nation in 2018 to build lasting wealth for the Squamish People. Not every year brings defining milestones, but every year brings us one step closer. In 2025, that long-term work came to the surface in ways that are impossible to miss, much like the herring who have come back to spawn our ancestral waters.

In September 2025, we acquired International Plaza, bringing a landmark residential and commercial complex on our territory under Squamish Nation ownership and Nch’ḵay̓ stewardship. We restructured the Sen̓áḵw partnership, welcoming OPTrust as a 50/50 partner in Phases One and Two of development, while securing 100%-Nation ownership of Phases Three and Four. These are not isolated wins — they are the result of years of foundational investment in the right people, the right systems, and the right relationships.

Indigenous economic development is about more than generating revenue. It’s about building the capacity for a Nation to determine its own future and to come to the table as an equal partner, not a respondent to someone else’s proposal. Every system we build, every Squamish Person we hire and develop, every partnership we structure on our own terms, moves us closer to that certainty. That is how we do business the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh way.

This work requires patience and discipline in years when the market is difficult, or when the path forward is more complex than anticipated. It requires the experience and foresight to make decisions that are right for seven generations to come, even when they are not the easiest decisions for right now. Our team held that standard this year, and I am extraordinarily proud of them for it.

As we look ahead, we are entering a new strategic planning cycle, one that will be shaped by the Nation’s own generational vision and by a new Squamish Nation Council. We welcome new and continuing Board members, and I thank our Squamish community for their continued support and trust.

The herring are coming back to Howe Sound. Their return is proof that long-term, deliberate effort pays off. What is built carefully and with purpose will eventually become undeniable. This is the way Nch’ḵay̓ was built. The work of many hands over many years is showing results that can now be seen, felt, and celebrated, and we’re proud to share our journey with all of you.

Mindy Wight
Chief Executive Officer