Policing the Xwemelch'stn (Homulchsen) Community

On July 23rd 1923, 16 Squamish speaking tribes amalgamated to form the Squamish Nation Band. There are currently 3,446 official members of the Band. 1,941 live on Squamish Nation reserves. Xwemelch'stn means the "Mouth of the River" and is the Squamish Nation Reserve that is exclusively policed by the West Vancouver Police Department.  Xwemelch'stn is commonly known as the Capilano Reserve IR#5.

Over the last four years relationship building initiatives have taken place between the Squamish Nation and the West Vancouver Police Department.

The West Vancouver Police Department has become an integral part of the Caring For Our Youth Committee (CFOY). This committee is an Aboriginal led movement that works to reduce the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol on the Nations youth as well as promotes a more peaceful environment for all.

In 2005, the West Vancouver Police Department Mobile Police Station was strategically parked in various locations throughout the Reserve in an effort to encourage dialogue and cooperation and to discourage known drug dealers from conducting their illegal business.

It soon became clear that these two simple initiatives drew an overwhelmingly positive response from the community. This showed through the comments that were made at the meetings around the CFOY table. Both organizations were finally able to discuss beliefs and behaviors. This was the catalyst that began a noticeable change in the relationship between the West Vancouver Police Department and Xwemelch'stn.

The West Vancouver Police Department also proposed the initiative called "Clean-up". "Clean-up" was less of an effort to clean up garbage, and more of an effort to rally leadership and consciousness in the community. Clean-up days have attracted people from inside and outside Xwemelch'stn. This proactive, leadership initiative has since been adopted by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the Mission Reserve in North Vancouver. Clean-up has the participation of the Mayors of the three North Shore Municipalities as well as the West Vancouver Fire Department and the Honorable Don Bell M.P.