THE Squamish Nation will soon by growing, as the band's members have voted to change their membership code.
A majority of the band's eligible voters approved two referendum questions on April 4: whether to allow people with Indian status and one parent who is a Squamish member to apply to join as a lineal member; and whether status children of at least one descendant member can join as descendant members.
The band put the questions to its members in response to the 2010 passing of Bill C-10. The act allows people who lost their Indian status through marriage to reapply for status.
"Over more than 25 months, our membership discussed, debated and determined not only the subject matters on which we voted, but also the wording of the questions and even how we voted. This is true engagement," a statement from the Chiefs and Council stated.
The referendum netted 1,506 votes from the band's 2,608 eligible electors.
