As the Invictus Games kick into gear this week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a special visit to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Monday before heading up to Whistler.
Nearly 200 members from the Squamish Nation welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, allowing them to learn about their language, culture and history.
A visit from the royal family has been long anticipated for the Squamish Nation, and councillor Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams) was happy to share and see that moment unfold, righting wrongs of the past.
“They said this is one of their favourite visits,” Williams said. “They said that right away, and just to have that good feeling, welcome and the story behind it, we truly righted the wrongs of the past.”
Williams escorted Prince Harry and Markle into the building, where council greeted them. General Councillor Syexwáliya (Ann Whonnock) shared a welcome and prayer in the Nation’s language, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim.
The royals also attended the Language Nest – a program that helps children from infants to three years old and their caregivers learn Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim – learning words from the language and being part of the programming just like any other day.
“You can just feel the ambience of good feelings in there, and we got to witness that,” Williams said.
The royal couple also crafted a wristband from cedar weaving, and a drum and clappers from cedar carving.
A powerful performance from 90 students from the Capilano Little Ones School concluded the visit.
To say farewell, the Squamish Nation gifted them the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim dictionary, the nation’s history book and a children’s book in the language to read to their children when they go back home, Williams said.
A visit from the royal family has been anticipated since the early 1900s when Chief Joe Capilano went to London, England and never had the opportunity to address the king, leaving a gift instead. This moment sparked people from the Squamish Nation to create a petition, saying they are still thriving and here.
When King George VI and Queen Elizabeth went on Canada-wide royal tour in 1939, they passed by the community, despite trying to welcome them with a gift exchange and a meet and greet, Williams said.
“That was heartbreaking for our people at the time,” Williams said.
He retold this story to Prince Harry in Düsseldorf, Germany at the 2023 Invictus Games, where the royal member said, “we’re going to right a wrong,” but Williams didn’t know what that was at the time.
But after the visit, Williams sees positive change moving forward.
“You look at overcoming a lot of heartbreak from our people from the royal family. It definitely changed perspectives and a changed outlook, because now only we can look up in regards to building that relationship and keep moving forward,” Williams said.
-video edited by Alanna Kelly
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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