Submitted by Deanna Lewis - Running for Council

What qualifies you to be on Chief and Council?
Education, training in Public Relations, I am passionate and care about our community. I am a Cultural Language Teacher for 8 years and actively involved in Community and attend all meetings. I am also a trained facilitator and cultural Ambassador.

What does it mean to be on Chief and Council and Representing the community.
 It means following the teachings of my grandfather. To be a voice for our Squamish Valley and Nation as whole. I am not influenced by anyone, I have my own mind and opinions. If my name is attached to something I want to make sure I know it represents our communities best interest. Wanting the better good for our people.

What are your feelings with regards to the Governance Manual.  What are it’s good points and bad points. Please explain?
Bad points is Manual should have been done by Membership or at least got input. Then there’s the whole confidentiality thing. I don’t see how we have to sign that when we need to answer to our membership in all band business. There are good points about not wearing two hats. And that if there are events with honorariums that Council has to get other nation members to do the work. Spend the wealth and exposure, we have amazing cultural people in our nation.

What’s your thoughts on the draft Election Law. Good and bad points that you noticed.
I am very disappointed it didn’t go through after all the effort and time community members spent in it. I loved many things:  like 2 terms and then can’t run again, great to get knew people fresh ideas,( not a lifetime career). Criminal record/ Drug checks. Ridings in each community Valley, off-Reserve Representatives especially.

Do you know of any issues that currently effect Squamish Nation. This can be internal or external issues.
There are a number of issues internally like wearing two hats, hiring of non First Nations as Department Heads, and Consultants. Externally not informing nation members or lack of consulting with membership. We are always hearing about band business on the news or seeing it first in the newspaper.

Do you believe enough is being done for our Elders and Youth?
There is always more we can do for our Elders and Youth. We need are own Elders facilities, hospices, doctors, therapist. Our Elders don’t want to be at HillTop or Holyburn or Evergreen they want to be surrounded by their own family and community. They feel  forgotten. A fewer of us have been spending time with our elders and just cooking a home cook meal brings them joy.  As for our youth they should be sponsored by recreation  our elite athletes. So much hardship goes on the parents fundraising. There should be more presentations on suicide prevention and aboriginal ways of knowing. If our youth k ow who they are and where they come from and few they belong, the youth would feel secure within themselves. Invest in our youth and they will be strong Role models,,healthy respectful and independent. If you keep your children busy they won’ the getting in trouble.

 How could you help the community trust Chief and Council again?
When on council demand monthly reports from all council members, showing attendance, financials, live stream meetings. The number one thing we can do for community is being accountable, transparency is key!

What is your Community involvement. (Pertaining only to Squamish community)?
CEO head coach for Squamish Thunder Youth Soccer 6 youth teams for 15 years,  sharing Skwxwu7mesh songs and dances at many gatherings with Welh Tina Kexwusem Dance Group, attend many meetings on Housing,Financial meetings, Electoral Reform meetings, volunteer at pow wows, paddle in many Tribal Journeys and do plant walks and I teach Skwxwu7mesh Language and culture in 7 schools in squamish. I also teach weaving with friends and family. We go Cedar  harvesting. I also help community members with family issues, talking circles, Guide members to different departments that can assist them better.i speak on behalf of my family at gatherings, funerals, weddings and ceremonies.

What are you hoping to accomplish (besides Housing)  once elected.
I hope to have said I was at the table whole heartedly looking out for our membership. Being the Voice that communicates to our membership. Transparency, I want to work with Housing options of course thinking about off reserve members needs, work closely with education and recreation, healthy living. Take to action Election Law, bring Governance Manual to the people to amend. Those are just some things.

Do you agree with your possible $80 annual salary.
This is a tough question with current conditions of Council  not-having to answer to their job and expenses I don’t like that they get paid $80. Especially when so many of our nation is struggling I would like Council to have a  Salary cap and our workers that are doing the hard work like teaching in our schools get a wage that reflects outside market.  We need to employ our people  and pay them what they are worth and Council should reflect that. Lead by example start from the top down with cutting down wages. Not from the bottom up like we did not long ago letting 30 plus workers go.  

U’siyam