The Annual Memorial

Squamish Nation Youth Powwow

In loving memory of Tenalh-t (Gloria "Honeygirl" Nahanee)

ADDRESS

XWMELCH'STN VILLAGE

(Capilano 5 field and longhouse)

West Vancouver BC, Canada

EMAIL

Main:

squamishnationpowwow@gmail.com

Volunteers:

snypowwowvolunteers@gmail.com (Jenn)

Vendors:

squamishpowwowvendors@gmail.com (Dawn)

Sponsors: ShannonHenderson@squamishnationyouthpowwow.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Scroll right to see all announcements

Our 2024 Committee

Simon Baker

Head Chair and Operations

Ha7lh Skwayel (Good Day) Tansi my name is Simon Baker. I’m a

proud member of the Squamish Nation, I’m also Cree and Haida. I

have been in the film and tv industry for 30 plus years as an actor

and producer. I grew up in and around the powwow community

my whole life. As a child the Squamish Nation Youth Powwow was

a huge highlight to me. I always looked forward to dancing in front

of my community I was displaced from. I grew up off reserve most

of my life with one foot in and one foot out of my community. I

recently inherited my family home where I currently reside in the

traditional village called Xwmelch’stn, and the territory that the

annual Powwow is currently hosted. I watched my Aunty the late

Gloria Nahanee (Tenalh-t) and the past committee put together

this beautiful, well-organized powwow each year with great

admiration. Not ever knowing that one day I would be the one

to run this powwow. After assuming the Head Chair position on

this powwow committee for one year, I have come to realize how

important it is to share culture and rejuvenate this way of life for

our next generations. We hope to build long lasting relationships

with our sponsors to continue the growth and development of all

our endeavours. We raise our hands and say Huy Chewxa (Thank

you) for taking time to look at our sponsorship package and

hopefully support our event.

We look forward to hearing from you. In all three of my traditional

languages Huy Chexwa (Squamish), Howaa (Haida), Hiy Hiy

(Cree) (Thank you)

simonbaker@squamishnationyouthpowwow.com

Carmen Moore

Co-Chair and Operations, Head Treasurer

Hadïh, I’m Carmen Moore. I’m of Wet’suwet’en and Scottish

ancestry currently residing on Xwmelch’stn known as Capilano

5. I have worked in the Vancouver film industry as an actor and

producer for more than 30 years. Living my life far away from my

Indigenous family, feeling as though I’ve never fit in and having no

connection to culture or tradition, I am honored to now be a part

of this community with my partner and I am committed to giving

to it in any way I can. When we were given permission in 2023

to take on the responsibilities of running this Powwow it felt like

we were in the right place at the right time, and many ideas and

visions have been sparked because of it. I’m excited to see them

all come to fruition, and to do my part in presenting one of the

biggest Powwows in BC, celebrating our youth and uplifting them

to achieve their highest potentials.

Misiyh awitsawh (Thank you very much)

carmenmoore@squamishnationyouthpowwow.com

Shannon Henderson

Co-Chair, Sponsorship Coordinator, Media Relations

As a proud member of the Squamish Nation, it is an utmost honor for me to hold two important positions. Firstly, as the President of the Orange Shirt Society, and secondly, as the co-chair of our highly esteemed community’s annual powwow.

This lively commemoration provides our youth with the opportunity to showcase their heritage through dynamic activities involving dance-offs, drumming sessions, and singing rounds. It is a testament to the remarkable memory of my late aunt, Gloria Nahanee. In addition, I am proud to contribute to advocating for our people through my grandfather, Edward Gilbert Nahanee, who was a member of the Native Brotherhood and sought justice for our Indigenous peoples. I am humbled to carry his legacy forward through culture.

shannonhenderson@squamishnationyouthpowwow.com

Jeanette Baker

Head Kitchen, Star Elder

Hello, my name is Jeanette Baker. I am from the Squamish and Haida Nations. I am a proud Squamish Nation Youth Powwow Committee member, and have managed the Kitchen & Cashier crews since 1991, when my daughter Katrina was crowned Squamish Nation Powwow Princess (1991-1992). I have volunteered every year since. The Powwow is a highlight for me and is something I look forward to every year.

Glenda Klassen

Star Elder, Volunteer Check in, Front gates, Floater

Glenda Klassen nee Delorme : Glenda's home community is the Cowesses First Nation in Saskatchewan. She was raised in the pow-wow tradition. Glenda has raised three children who are members of the Squamish nation. She currently works as the resident Indigenous Elder for Atira Women's Resource Society.

Darryl Klassen

Assistant Location

Darryl has resided in B C for 40 plus years. For 25 of those years he has worked with Indigenous communities throughout B C in areas of economic opportunity, education and food security. An important aspect of this work was to build bridges of understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and settler communities.

Patrick White

Assistant Location

Patrick has worked in Vancouver's Film/TV and Music industry for over 20 years. He is inspired seeing his kids and family PowWow, Canoe Pull and honour traditional teachings. Also thankful for the constant love and support of his wife Evelyn Alec. Thank you to the committee and extended family for the opportunity to be a part of making this event happen.

Kanani Nahanee

Registration, Youth Engagement Coordinator

My ancestral name is Kelk’ach, my English name is Kanani Nahanee.
I oversee the pow-wow dance registration and youth engagement.
The Squamish Nation pow-wow holds a special place in my heart as I have many years of memories working the powwow with my family members. My late mother Tenalh-t and father Keith Nahanee Sr. Started this pow-wow in 1987 to honour our youth. Thier intention was to have something the youth could look forward to and participate in.

Jenn Forlin

Volunteer Coordinator, Society Creator, Social Media Assistant

My name is Jenn Forlin. My family on my mother’s side is from Esket and settler Italian, on my father’s side is settler Italian.

I am honoured to be a part of the Squamish Nation Youth Pow Wow for the second year as a volunteer coordinator. The Pow Wow is important to me because it provides us with the ability to be in community and share culture.

Dawn Sherwoood

Vendor Coordinator, grant submissions

Hi, my name is Dawn, and I am the committee's Vendor Coordinator/Grant Writer. Raised by my best friend's family; I have been embraced by the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw community and blessed with its rich culture, traditions, and teachings past down by the ancestors. Grateful to be sitting on the Powwow Committee this year, as it is my own way of honouring Honeygirl, and my extended Nahanee family. Huy chexw a.

Dulcie August

Head Chef and Kitchen Assistant Manager, Star Elder

Hello I am Dulcie, my ancestral name is Silsa't. I am head Cook for many years for our Squamish people and I love to be a part of the Pow wow committee and cook for the event

Naida Baker

Social Media, 50/50 coordinator

Destri Baker

Head Location Manager

Denise Forlin

Volunteer Check -In, Society Creator, Floater

Our Community

There may be no better way to communicate what we do than through images. As you browse our site, take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and witness the pride we feel from our past Powwows