Sign in

Khelsilem

@khelsilem.bsky.social
9.6K followers 22 following 97 posts

Posting live from Squamish Nation territory (Vancouver, BC). Posts are my opinion, which is subject to change based on new information.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Khelsilem
Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I think it's cool that all political parties like to go "I DON'T TRUST THE PUBLIC FACTS" when it's convenient to their narrative. We have reams of data from government and private sources, along with endless anecdotes of people negotiating down their rent over the last two years. but whatever man
610318
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
I need to talk about Sen̓áḵw. This word has been in the news for years, and I still hear it mispronounced constantly—by journalists, politicians, and well-meaning people who just haven't been shown how. It's a word from the Squamish Language. Let me walk you through it. 🧵
18936
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
“Indigenous Peoples” is not a race. Reducing Indigenous Peoples to a race or ethnicity is race reductionism, and it ignores the legal and political status. Race reductionism is how you can justify mistreating and oppressing a group of people.
1111
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
The Declaration Act debate made one thing clear: when industry lobbies govt, it's democracy. When First Nations negotiate with the Province, it's "hostage-taking." They agreed to collaborate. Apparently that's a threat to democracy. New on my Substack 👇 khelsilem.substack.com/p/the-declar...
khelsilem.substack.com
The Declaration Act debate revealed who gets to lobby and who gets accused of hostage-taking
The Province and First Nations agreed to collaborate. Apparently that's a threat to democracy.
1129
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
The FN Leadership Council is calling on all MLAs in BC to vote against Premier Eby's bill to suspend the Declaration Act. They've offered alternatives. Every one was rejected. Eby declared suspension "non-negotiable" & then accused FN of refusing to compromise: khelsilem.substack.com/p/first-nati...
khelsilem.substack.com
First Nations Leadership Council Urges BC MLAs to Vote Down Declaration Act Suspension Bill
BC's Premier facing growing backlash for his attacks on Indigenous Rights
01110
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
"The province is watching to see whether the Premier has a vision worth defending or only a position worth retreating from." On the Declaration Act, what went wrong, and what a serious fix would actually look like: New piece: open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
open.substack.com
The problem with DRIPA isn't the courts. It's the Premier.
A Premier who triangulates instead of leads is running out of room on DRIPA
0101
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
First Nations score another legal victory that recognizes title to 200 square kilometres on the west coast of Vancouver Island: www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
ctvnews.ca
B.C. Appeals Court sides with First Nation over Aboriginal title on Nootka Island
The B.C. Court of Appeal has overturned a lower-court ruling after finding the judge used an “arbitrary boundary” to determine a First Nation’s Aboriginal title over a swath of Nootka Island off…
1145
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
NDP Premier Eby is accelerating his heel turn on Indigenous rights. After winning the last BC election by a single seat, the question is whether abandoning FN communities will cost him re-election, given that 5-7 ridings could swing on the Indigenous vote alone. open.substack.com/pub/adampols...
open.substack.com
Two Messages, One Premier
Premier David Eby made a mess of Declaration Act amendments. Then he doubled down.
34315
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Vancouver City Council approves a rezoning for MST Nations' Heather Lands with 30% more density to enable the Attainable Homeownership Initiative: 2,940 units sold to the market at a 40% discount to market value, backed by $476.45M in Provincial funding.
1252
Reposted by Khelsilem
Myra @myramc.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
This is an excellent write up to share with people in your life who are overreacting to the Cowichan Title Decision written by @khelsilem.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
open.substack.com
Setting the Record Straight on the Cowichan Tribes Title Decision
What the Cowichan Decision Really Means — and What It Doesn’t
074
Reposted by Khelsilem
Charles Montgomery @charlesincities.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
What a Mamdani-Style Agenda Could Look Like in Metro Vancouver. I devoured this insightful read from @khelsilem.bsky.social Lots for urbanists to debate here. open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
open.substack.com
What a Mamdani-Style Agenda Could Look Like in Metro Vancouver
What it would take—financially, politically, and institutionally—for Metro Vancouver to match New York’s new progressive vision
061
Reposted by Khelsilem
Charles Montgomery @charlesincities.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Hey Canadians, Here's a smart essay from the brilliant @khelsilem.bsky.social on the purpose, limits and misuse of "land acknowledgements" Dial down the performance and crank up the pragmatism. Really worth reading. open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
open.substack.com
Understanding the Purpose, Limits, and Misuse of "Land Acknowledgements"
On symbolism, substance, and the limits of public ritual
092
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I really enjoyed listening to this chat between Jon Stewart and Alastair Campbell: youtu.be/ATAmEgwuu2g?...
youtu.be
America vs. The Rest with Alastair Campbell | The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
With traditional allies refusing to join America’s war on Iran, Jon is joined by Alastair Campbell, co-host of “The Rest Is Politics.” Together, they examine what NATO’s restraint says about how this…
010
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
If NDP Eby govt rams through amendments without cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, can’t those changes be overturned by the courts? vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
vancouversun.com
Chief Robert Louie: Business depends on clear rights; Premier Eby is risking B.C.’s economy by ignoring them
Chief Robert Louie: Since our self-gov't deal came into force in 2005, we have built one of Canada's most successful Indigenous economies.
153
Reposted by Khelsilem
Michelle Cyca @michellecyca.com · 23/03/2026
"The panic now visible in British Columbia is not evidence that reconciliation has gone too far. It is evidence that reconciliation has begun to have material consequences." @khelsilem.bsky.social in @macleans.bsky.social: macleans.ca/politics/can...
macleans.ca
Canada’s Reconciliation Panic - Macleans.ca
Indigenous peoples are gaining territory and political and economic clout. Not everyone is ready for what that will mean.
013355
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
I still use Twitter/X because I spent years building a sizable audience on it. I joined Bluesky because many of my policy-minded friends did too. I'm also on Threads because that's where close friends are at. So I thought I would try out Buffer as a new tool to post on all three moving forward!
2150
Reposted by Khelsilem
Carol Reardon @caroltreardon.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
I think it would be a less confusing and time consuming for everyone if OneCity just came right out and said that the only Unity outcome they’re interested in is COPE and the Greens ceasing to exist as independent political parties and encouraging their members to vote for OneCity.
1282
Reposted by Khelsilem
Alex Bozikovic @alexbozikovic.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Vancouver housing politics is a bunch of well-housed people who prefer mountain views to the presence of other humans www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/...
theglobeandmail.com
Vancouver residents push back on plan they say will obscure rare mountain view
Proposed towers that would obstruct views from Trout Lake put city’s ‘view cones’ policy in spotlight
614925
Reposted by Khelsilem
Jeremy Valeriote @jervaler.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Congratulations to the Squamish Nation on securing additional protections for Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Aysáy̓ch. I’m grateful that protection and management of cultural sites and other significant areas will rest with the Squamish Nation.
squamishchief.com
ICYMI: Squamish Nation regains 20,000 hectares of ancestral land
Two decades of planning and negotiations result in an historic land use agreement with the province.
2229
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
The Squamish Nation statement on the passing of Bill 15:
0275
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
The Squamish Nation opposed Bill 15's approach and assault on First Nations' rights. Bill 15 should be challenged in court for breaking the Province’s laws to consult and cooperate with FNs in developing legislation in alignment with UNDRIP.
0136
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
The passing of Bill 15 is both disappointing and damaging to the BC NDP’s relationship with First Nations. Many of us thought the era of relying on the courts to defend and protect our rights was over, but the government is foolishly bringing us backwards. They should be held accountable.
1334
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Civil servants sometimes complain about their superiors in this manner because they were once in charge, but now political leaders are reclaiming control. Political leadership should strive to raise standards in the work of the public service to drive the best possible decisions.
4204
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
The Province has committed to "Support inclusive regional governance by advancing FN participation in regional district boards." (1.11 UNDRIP Action Plan). How will the Minister of Municipal Affairs @ravikahlon.bsky.social uphold this commitment with Metro Vancouver? www.biv.com/news/economy...
biv.com
Metro Vancouver board trims pay, calls on province for governance changes
Elected officials say they need the provincial government to step up to the new governance review committee table and pass legislation to change the board structure.
020
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Squamish Nation Responds to Bill-15: www.squamish.net/concerns-bil...
squamish.net
Letter from Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw | Squamish Nation Responds to Bill-15 - Squamish Nation
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is calling on the Province to immediately withdraw Bill 15. Khelsilem, Council Chairperson, has written to the Province outlining the Nation’s key concerns...
0173
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Landlords set rents at what people are willing to pay. Politicians can influence whether housing is abundant, forcing landlords to compete for renters.
2615
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
How many characters in news stories were spent framing the problem at the feet of Gregor Robertson vs. Jason Kenny or Rich Coleman during those years, political figures who had levers to influence the regional housing prices and rents?
1110
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Federal governments can massively impact the demand for housing in Canada, concentrated in Canada's largest cities.
150
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
There is valid criticism of the Vancouver City Council from 2008 to 2018, but it often lacks perspective on the overall context of a left-of-centre City Council w/ a Conservative-run fed & prov government, & regional counterparts who never carried their weight in social housing for the region.
1225
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Who was most responsible for Vancouver's housing rents + prices by 2018? (a) Fed Minister Diane Finley (b) Fed Minister Jason Kenney (c) Prov Minister Rich Coleman (d) Mayor Gregor Robertson (Reminder: Vancouver represented only 25% of the population of the Metro Vancouver region in 2018.)
6186
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
What are your thoughts on the new cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney?
020
Reposted by Khelsilem
Justin McElroy 🇨🇦 @jmcelroy.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
British Columbia's chief coroner has just announced an inquest to publicly review the circumstances that led to Tatyanna Harrison's 2022 death Some background here: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Advocates, families call for coroner's inquest into deaths of Indigenous women, girl | CBC News
The families of two young Indigenous women and an Indigenous girl whose bodies were separately discovered across Metro Vancouver in disturbing circumstances are calling for B.C.'s minister of public s...
06212
Reposted by Khelsilem
Jens von Bergmann @jensvb.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Business: We would like to open up shop in this empty storefront. City: Not so fast, first we convene a kangaroo court in a several month long process to determine if you are deemed worthy, then we will laden you with months of permit wait time, and after renovations you will wait for inspections.
24814
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
khelsilem.substack.com/p/big-bank-t...
khelsilem.substack.com
Big Bank Theory: Carney Edition
How a Bay-Street wonk out-maneuvered a populist crusader and an unraveling progressive crew.
050
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
What polls do people trust regarding the federal polling we've seen? There are so many different companies that I often forget which have the best or worst track record.
120
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
First Nations will improve the city by making more transit-oriented and car-lite dense neighbourhoods, with significant public and park space included! Thank you to the Vancouver City Council for the unanimous support.
15112
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
It might just be me, but this looks like a pretty cool neighbourhood in a city! #JerichoLands
3492
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Maddening.
0161
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
I voted for Sean Orr so congratulations for a stunning win!
1351
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
It's incredible how outclassed the federal NDP under Jagmeet Singh is by the federal Liberals, AGAIN, on housing policy and ambition. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
Carney unveils signature housing plan he says will double pace of home building in Canada | CBC News
Liberal Leader Mark Carney unveiled his signature housing policy Monday, promising to double the number of homes built annually in Canada to nearly 500,000.
16110
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
If I submitted a proposal for a session for 2025 Housing Central Conference, what would you be interested in me presenting on that would be the most impactful?
631
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
What are your Vancouver by-election predictions?
341
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
All realistic political options across municipal, provincial, and federal parties support towers near rapid transit, so alleged backlashes seem like a massively overstated prediction. It’ll take 30 years to build out the Broadway Plan, and that’s really going to cause revolutions in the suburbs? 🤔
4250
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
The most significant land developments by First Nations in Vancouver are also happening on land acquired under the federal Conservative government. There was barely any significant advancement in 10 years under the Liberals, though.
0163
Reposted by Khelsilem
Robert Jago @rjjago.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
I base that on reading a fudge tonne of British parliamentary debates and newspaper articles where they talk like the Bay has turned mainland BC into North Korea. Contrasted with HBC journals and Indigenous histories where they talk like the Bay was just another tribe.
5352
Reposted by Khelsilem
Robert Jago @rjjago.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
So many Native people have been sucked into this pan-Indian thing of hating the Bay, saying they were the smallpox blanket people.That is old British propaganda, clear from its inception. They want us to hate the HBC because they hated the HBC, because at least here, they held off the colonizers.
2473
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
I'm a housing advocate supporting "human-friendly, well-designed, socially connected neighbourhoods," which tall tower forms can accomplish. Does that make me militant? Asking for a friend!
2373
Reposted by Khelsilem
Alex Bozikovic @alexbozikovic.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Have to respectfully disagree with Frances here. A "human-friendly, well-designed, socially connected neighbourhood" can include towers and irregular building forms. What it needs is a lot of people, a mix of uses, and stores and services at ground level.
6722
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
A significant recruitment for the Liberal Party in the Canadian federal election for Mark Carney.
2171
Khelsilem @khelsilem.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Here are a few podcast recommendations for people paying attention to the Canadian federal election: open.substack.com/pub/khelsile...
open.substack.com
Tuned In: Podcasts for Canada's 2025 Election
Your guide to the best podcasts for staying informed, engaged, and ahead of the curve this election season.
052