Tenants of Hiy̓ám̓ Housing’s Eskékxwi7ch tl’a Sp’áḵw’us Place have been gifted a new, handmade picnic table thanks to a meaningful collaboration between OurSquamish Placemaking Society and the Squamish Men’s Shed.

This picnic table is intended to encourage tenants to come together, share a meal and strengthen connections.

“This is a creative way of showing our tenants that their cultural, and social identities and experiences are meaningful,” says Jerri Morrick, Chief Operations Officer of Hiy̓ám̓ Housing. “Siyich’em is surrounded by natural beauty, and now thanks to the time and energy of many talented volunteers our residents have another way to enjoy it.”

The picnic table enhances the preexisting patio space to create a more usable space for Siyich’em tenants.

The idea for this project came about after OurSquamish built two 16-foot picnic tables and four covered benches for St’a7mes waterfront park to offer accessible seating and enhance the area, which is often used for community gatherings.

Having leftover cedars remaining, OurSquamish reached out to Hiy̓ám̓ Housing, to explore another project that would benefit Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw.

“On behalf of Hiy̓ám̓ Housing, Chet kw’enmantúmi,” says Sarah Silva, Chief Executive Officer. “In the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh language, this means, we thank you.”

Special thanks are also extended to Van Urban Timber for the generous donations of timber and Chandler Boys, for their support transporting materials.  

Eskékxwi7ch tl’a Sp’áḵw’us Place, which means The Gathering Place of Eagles, is 27-unit development that provides support for vulnerable Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people, with priority for vulnerable women and their children experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

OurSquamish is a community non-profit dedicated to enhancing Squamish’s urban public spaces for a lively, inclusive, sustainable, safe & healthy Squamish. Through people-driven projects, education, and advocacy, OurSquamish is committed to building equitable public spaces that support the diversity of our community.

The Squamish Men’s Shed is a group of senior men with a woodworking workshop who volunteer their time on non-profit community projects.