On Thursday, December 11, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler was honoured to host a ceremony recognizing Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph and Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal as recipients of the Freedom of the Resort Municipality of Whistler—the municipality’s highest civic honour.
The award was presented as part of Whistler’s 50th anniversary as a municipality and also recognized other community members: Steve Bayly, Doug Forseth, and John “Bushrat” Hetherington. Mayor Jack Crompton described the recipients collectively as “extremely well-deserving people,” noting that the distinction reflects the values and relationships that have shaped Whistler over the past five decades.
As Co-Directors of Culture at the SLCC, Allison and Alison lead the Cultural Ambassador team and help ensure the respectful and accurate representation of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation. Their work supports cultural preservation, revitalization, and education for both community members and visitors.
Honouring Leadership and Long-Standing Commitment
The recognition of Allison and Alison reflects their individual contributions, and also the foundational role they have played at the SLCC since its earliest days opening in 2008. Their leadership has shaped how culture is shared at the Centre and how relationships are built with the broader community.
Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph, of the Squamish Nation, leads the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program mentoring over 650 graduates and is Co-Director of Culture alongside Alison Pascal. She is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim speaker supporting language revitalization, and a passionate wool weaver and artist supporting the continuation of Squamish cultural practices. Her leadership of the cultural team and youth ambassadors is grounded in community, and ensures the importance of passing knowledge to, and empowering future generations.
Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal, of the Lil’wat Nation, has served as a long-time Curator and Co-Director of Culture at the SLCC. Her work in exhibitions, tours, and cultural programming has helped residents and visitors better understand the land they are on and the histories connected to it. Her recent work included working with over 200 Nation Members to curate the updated storyboards throughout the permanent exhibits at the SLCC. Mayor Crompton praised Pascal’s “courage and generosity” in helping people understand the “horrible history of colonization and the great strength of the Nations whose shared territory we call home.” Her leadership continues to guide how stories are shared with honesty and care.
A Meaningful Moment for the Community
Hosting the ceremony at the SLCC was a meaningful way to honour Allison and Alison alongside their families, fellow recipients, and community members, including Lil’wat Nation Councillor Lhpatq Maxine Bruce and Squamish Nation Councillor Kalkalilh Deanna Lewis. The Freedom of the Municipality award recognizes sustained service and contribution, and for Allison and Alison, it reflects years of important work grounded in cultural responsibility, authentic representation and presence of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil’wat7ul in the shared territory of Whistler.
Together, they have helped shape the SLCC into a place where Squamish and Lil’wat cultures are preserved and actively lived and shared through immersive experiences at the SLCC and wider communities. Their leadership of the Cultural Ambassador team ensures that both Nations are represented with integrity and respect.
On behalf of the entire SLCC team, we congratulate Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph and Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal on this well-deserved recognition, alongside Steve Bayly, Doug Forseth, and John Hetherington. We are proud to work alongside leaders whose commitment continues to strengthen cultural understanding, education, and community in Whistler.
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre remains committed to preserving, sharing, and celebrating the living cultures of the Squamish Nation and Lil’wat Nation through education, storytelling, and community connection.
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler is a non-profit registered charity*, an Indigenous-owned organization, and employs over 90% Indigenous Ambassadors. All proceeds are invested into meaningful employment, training (including the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program) and cultural revitalization programs for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Lil̓wat7úl (Lil’wat Nation), through the SLCC. As graduates of the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program, Cheximiya Allison Burns Joseph and Mixalhítsa7 Alison Pascal and leaders of culture and mentoring Youth Ambassadors at the SLCC, this recognition demonstrates the strength of their work at the SLCC and the IYA Program.
Donate to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Líḻwat7ul Cultural Centre (SLCC) in Whistler and the Indigenous Youth Ambassador (IYA) Program this giving season with a one time or monthly donation. Corporate businesses can also donate through the Allyship program with customizable benefits. You can also show your support throughout the year with an SLCC Membership.