The sounds of cheers, singing and drumming filled the air as the Sk瘫wx瘫wu虂7mesh U虂xwumixw (Squamish Nation) celebrated the grand opening of a new multi-purpose facility Friday afternoon.
K瘫w’eshk瘫w’she虂tsutay虛 (Playing Place) is a recreation building in West Vancouver that will be used for sports games, community events, outdoor movies, art and yoga classes and more.
“It’s a place for people to gather and play,” said Squamish Nation councillor Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams). “[The amount of] of healing and medicine this place is going to provide for the next 100-plus years for people is quite magical.”
The new facility – replacing the old lacrosse box torn down in 2021 after needing significant repairs – has concrete floors and a customized digital scoreboard, as well as seating for 370 people on bleachers with more room around the boards for standing.
A red and green design colours the building’s side, inspired by a woven blanket worn in 1906 by 7ápele岣�/ 岣磇yáplanexw Siy虛ám虛 (Chief Joe Capilano) during a visit to see the King of England. The roof over the facility is meant to symbolize a blanket, wrapping around and protecting the Squamish People and everyone who visits Playing Place.
Friday’s grand opening celebration featured performances from singing and dancing groups, food, a skills and drills session held by Vancouver Warriors lacrosse players and coaches, and a spirited lacrosse scrimmage to end the day.
‘Medicine’ game
k’éxwa7 (lacrosse) is a big deal for the Squamish Nation, a sport many Nation members grew up with, passed down from one generation to the next.
Lacrosse is called the medicine game for Squamish People as it was an outlet to escape challenges and negative emotions going on in someone’s life, including Williams.
Williams first started playing lacrosse when he was six years old. During his teenage years, it was an outlet for him to release stress, anger or challenges he faced at the time, he said.
“Without lacrosse, I wouldn’t be here today,” Williams said. “It was easy back in the '90s to be able to choose a path that wasn’t healthy … lacrosse helped me find my way.”
Now, Williams serves as the president of the , a lacrosse club that began in the 1930s.
Sam Seward is from the Squamish Nation and has been involved with lacrosse for 64 years as a player, coach and manager. He said seeing the new facility is awesome as it brings people and families together all under one roof to play the sport and build community.
“Community spirit, community feeling, we’re all together as one,” Seward said.
Seward, now 69, first picked up a lacrosse stick when he was five. The longtime lacrosse athlete first got his start at the North Shore Indians Minor Lacrosse Association in the Junior B team, moving up the ranks to Senior B. Seward played for the . Since then, he has coached the lacrosse club.
“It’s a big part of my life,” Seward said. “I’m very excited to see our young ones develop and move on.”
His nephew, Preston Seward, shares the excitement about the new facility opening, as he will begin training there soon as part of the North Shore Indians team.
Preston has been playing the sport since he was three years old.
“I’m feeling amazing, I’m actually loving it,” the 17-year-old said on the court Friday. “I just love the sport, I love the running ... I love playing for [my] ancestors.”
Looking forward
Playing Place is built in what Williams calls a social hub of the Squamish Nation, nested near the Chief Joe Mathias Centre, the Language Nest, Capilano Little Ones School, and a new aimed at bringing Nation members home. Williams said he looks forward to the community’s growth, connecting more members with their home.
“We can expand programs and services, but at the same time, our kids have something to look forward to and be passionate and motivated about,” Williams said.
“When there’s not much infrastructure at home, our kids get lost unless they’re guided in the right way. So when we build amenities like this … they have a place to go and where they’re always welcome,” he added. “It’s a priceless investment for people.”
Playing Place will officially open on July 3.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore 劲爆大瓜. This reporting beat is made possible by the .
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