The
Squamish people (or in the
Squamish language (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh snichim) Skwxwú7mesh , sometimes seen in English as
Skwxwu7mesh, historically transliterated as
Sko-ko-mish) are an
indigenous people in southwestern
British Columbia,
Canada. In 2012, there was population of 3,893 band members registered with the
Squamish Nation. Their language is the
Squamish language or
Sḵwx̱wú7mesh snichim, considered a part of the
Coast Salish languages, and is categorized as
nearly extinct with just 10 fluent speakers as of 2010. The traditional territory covered Point Grey as the southern border. From here, it continued northward to
Roberts Creek on the
Sunshine Coast, up the
Howe Sound. The northern part included the
Squamish,
Cheakamus,
Elaho and
Mamquam rivers. Up the
Cheakamus River it included land past
Whistler, British Columbia. The southern and eastern part of their territory includes
Indian Arm, along
Burrard Inlet, through
False Creek then
English Bay and
Point Grey. Today the Squamish people live mostly in seven communities, located in
West Vancouver,
North Vancouver, and within and nearby to the District of
Squamish.