Message from

CEO Tsekonámus

Rosemary Stager-Wallace

I would like to thank everyone who made 2025 a great year for the Líl̓wat Business Group, from our hardworking, talented team, our committed Board, our partners and our community members who have frequented our businesses.

This year, our forestry division was recognized throughout the province for its use of Indigenous methods of ensuring forest health and sustainability, such as cultural burns. Our retail sector grew to include The Hitching Post Motel, our first step into tourism, while Tsípun Supermarket and Líl̓wat Station continued to perform well. However, it was our construction company that experienced the greatest success of 2025 with Tseqwtsúqum̓ at Function Junction breaking ground. This mixed residential-commercial project is entirely Líl̓wat-owned and will offer next level staff housing, more affordable space to grow businesses and feature a fuelling station. And it also reestablishes Lil̓wat7úl presence on our traditional territory in Whistler.

The Land Blessing Ceremony held October 20 was incredibly moving. For years, we had been trying to get this project started, but there was always a stumbling block. In 2025, we renegotiated the project to make it 100% Líl̓wat-owned, arranged for financing with preferential interest rates though a First Nations Bank of Canada and Canadian Infrastructure Bank partnership, and developed a new structure to ensure excellent project management.

It was wonderful to watch our Líl̓wat Pipe Carriers Qaqawam Chris Wells, Ánwasúlmec Brett Wallace and Sík Sík Josh Anderson bless the property as close to 50 people gathered on a rainy, Monday morning in Function to witness the ground-breaking. There was a feeling of immense joy as people drummed, sang and danced and speeches were delivered with heart and passion. Below is a video from that day, a day we will look back on as the day our land development projects truly became, as Holdings Board President Lhpatq Maxine Bruce always says, “For Líl̓wat, by Líl̓wat.”

The last year was also a time of creating greater connection with community. We held spring and fall Open Houses to let the community know what we were doing and promote LBG businesses as places people could build their careers. We also sponsored the Indigenous Strong Powwow in October, providing funds for Líl̓wat Nation’s first ever competition powwow and arranging for the Thunder Hill Singers to be the host drum. LBG was proud to support local youth Hannah Jones in continuing her late mother Cina Gabriel’s work organizing the event, which proved to be an enormous success. And we launched our newsletter.

Behind the scenes, LBG continued to strengthen its corporate structure, adding new positions, providing professional development opportunities, and developing partnerships that are Líl̓wat-led and adhere to Lil̓wat7úl values.

As we move closer to 2026, we anticipate a New Year that is full or opportunity for all of us.

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and relaxing Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Kúkwstum̓ckál̓ap,

Tsekonámus Rosemary Stager-Wallace, CEO

Introducing Amhani Jones

The Líl̓wat Business Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Amhani “Hani” Jones to the Líl̓wat Holdings Board in the role of Youth Director.

The owner/operator of Leṕcál Design + Consulting, Amhani is a Líl̓wat Nation member and a passionate proponent for First Nations self-determination and sustainable economic development. Her work, whether in landscape design, community planning or culture, is infused with Indigenous values and emphasizes the relationship between land, culture and economy.

Trained as a horticulturalist, Amhani holds certifications from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and Gaia College. She is currently Engagement Manager for the Village of Lytton, working closely with the CAO and Project 

Advisory Committee to create a Community Engagement Plan. Her landscape design work includes Bike Park Plaza in Whistler and the parks and trail Plan for the Nkwúkwma development in Pemberton. She has also provided facilitation and curatorial services to the Squamish Líl̓wat Cultural Centre.

“When I read Hani̓’s Letter of Intent and resumé, her skills were immediately apparent. This was a young business owner who was already making a difference, a values-driven leader who wanted to advance the Nation’s goal of self-determination through economic development,” says CEO Rosemary Stager-Wallace. “I am excited to see the perspective she brings to the Board in action. To quote from her letter, ‘I aim to contribute a grounded yet forward-looking perspective that bridges traditional teachings and modern opportunities.’ I think she will be a terrific asset.”

On October 21, approxiunately 200 community members, including Grade 11 and 12 students from Xet̓ólacw Community School, came out to Ts̓zil Learning Centre to find out what LBG has been working on this year. 

LBG's second Open House of 2025 was also an opportuniy to honour Loretta Pascal who retired from her position as Elders' Representative on the Holdings Board. Take a minute to check out the video of the event below. 

Líl̓wat Construction Enterprises (LCE) is proud to highlight our Mines Manager Nathan Saul in this newsletter. Nathan continues to play a key leadership role in coordinating LCE's aggregate and concrete operations. Nathan oversees safety, quality control, scheduling, and day-to-day staff management across multiple active job sites—a critical function during our busiest season.

With the recent addition of LCE’s Concrete Services team, Nathan has stepped up to support team alignment, ensure consistent safety practices, and maintain high service standards for our partners and clients. His calm approach, commitment to mentorship, and reliability on the ground make him an invaluable part of our workforce.

Thank you, Nathan, for your dedication and leadership.

— Jason Andrew
GM of Construction Enterprises

As we move into winter, Líl̓wat Construction Enterprises (LCE) continues to proudly support the Nation however and whenever we can. We have leased the Spirit Circle property to the Community Development department to use as a shelter for people who are either homeless or facing homelessness this winter. This is the second season of operation for the shelter. Líl̓wat Health & Healing has also set up a sweat lodge on the site and continues to do ceremonies for the Nation.

LCE is working on exploring better opportunities in the region’s mines and pits. Key updates about this initiative will come soon. The Pemberton Transfer Station, which is overseen by LCE, has recently updated its contract with the SLRD, which allows LCE to continue to better manage the facility.

Concrete Services Operational

Our Concrete Services team, which now includes the Concrete Grizzlies, is now operation, having been set up to help support LCE on all projects such as demos, renovations, and is getting ready to take on Tseqwtsúqum̓ at Function Junction this coming spring. The mixed commercial-residential project will provide next-level staff housing over three buildings, provide more affordable space for businesses to grow and offer a fuelling station at the south end of Whistler.

Building the LCE Team

We continue to strengthen our LCE team with leadership training being provided to our new managers.

Christmas Tree Lighting

We would like to express our thanks to all the community members who participated in Christmas Tree lighting. It was great seeing you come out to lend a hand.

Local Contractor Engagement

In the spring, LCE will be hosting a local contractor engagement session. Details to come in the New Year. From all of us at Construction Enterprises, we wish you a happy holiday season.

—Jason Andrew
GM of Líl̓wat Construction Enterprises

A Message from LCE̓'s New Senior Project Manager

Dear Líl̓wat Nation Community Members, LBG Staff and LBG Board,

Líl̓wat Construction Enterprises is at the ground floor of a renaissance that will have lasting impacts throughout the Nation. We are focusing on one word, growth. As LCE grows, so does our commitment to Líl̓wat Nation.

The growth we are hoping to accomplish is done through expanding our team by creating opportunities for meaningful employment for Líl̓wat Nation and surrounding nation members. We are investing in our team, by providing them with more access to safety training, skilled trade apprenticeships and job-specific certifications. All of which compounds into a seasoned workforce ready to tackle various projects in and around the Sea-to-sky Corridor.

I am proud to state that the current team consists of a highly experienced and seasoned concrete division, two crews running consistently over the last quarter. In the last month we have brought onboard four more determined employees that share our vision of growth within LCE and beyond.

Our goal is to build up our team’s capacity and capabilities. Right now, we are in the process of obtaining a significant portion of the Tseqwtsúqum̓ at Function Junction project in Whistler.

LCE will fulfill a significant portion of the civil earthworks and concrete scopes for this project. We want this project to set the precedence for what an indigenous driven construction company can accomplish.

— Zain Ashiq
LCE Senior Project Manager

This fall, Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures (LFV) undertook a variety major projects including:

• Carrying out major cultural burns throughout the territory to better protect and care for Líl̓wat forests and territory.
• Hosting a seed collection and processing workshop.
• Working on a variety of land stewardship activities, including a fuel thinning project to help reduce wildfire risk.

LFV also enjoyed some productive partnerships during the past quarter, working alongside BC Wildfire Services for cultural burns, collaborating with Spel̓kúmtn Community Forest to conduct pile burning and TreeTrack Intelligence to find new ways to plant using drones.

Over the past few months, LFV has also made a big impact across the province, meeting with Ravi Parmar, British Columbia’s Minister of Forests, in September and Federal Minister of Engery and Natural Resources, Corey Hogan, in December to share more about our work. By building these important relationships, we can continue to ensure that Líl̓wat Nation’s priorities and needs are heard and create new opportunities for growth.

As we move into winter, we are looking forward to sharing an update on the Old Growth Stewardship Data Collection Project with the community to give

the Nation a snapshot of the forest to further help promote wildfire management, wildlife habitatsand the growth of traditional plants. We are also excited to begin working on new projects with the carbonizer machine, which will help us process woody debris left over from timber harvests and convert it into biochar.

As always, we strive to keep the community informed through postings on the LBG website and social media channels regarding our thinning and burning activities.

Upcoming Events
& Promotions

81^st Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention

Klay Tindall, General Manager, Forestry Operations, will be part of the panel titled "Fostering Collaboration & Partnerships" in Vancouver on January 15, 2026.

FPBC Annual Forestry Conference
Klay Tindall and Jordon Gabriel will attend the Conference in Vancouver on February 4-6, 2025.

— Líl̓wat Forestry Ventures Team

As we embrace the winter season, Líl̓wat Retail Operations (LRO) is excited to share key developments that highlight our commitment to our community and ongoing business initiatives.

Celebrating Our Community

LRO proudly supported several community initiatives this month, including the Tree Lighting Celebration on November 30, which brought festive cheer to Líl̓wat. Additionally, we coordinated with the Housing Shelter to streamline community services and provide essential accommodation at the Hitching Post Motel, ensuring Líl̓wat community members have a warm place to stay when needed.

In the spirit of giving, Líl̓wat Retail supported the Líl̓wat Christmas Spirit Program by procuring 500 turkeys and gift cards for distribution to the community. We also assisted the N’Quatqua Community Christmas Program with the procurement of 90 turkeys and gift cards for their community hampers. Together, we are spreading joy and support during this holiday season.

Strategic Business Initiatives

We are actively working on enhancing Líl̓wat Retail’s presence in the local business community. 

Our Motel Operations Manager, with the support of our GM and Board President, now represents LRO on the Tourism Pemberton Board, strengthening ties with local leaders. In line with our dedication to continuous improvement, we are also redesigning the Hitching Post Motel's website to enhance guest experiences.

Looking ahead, we are preparing for the installation of brand new fuel pumps at the Líl̓wat Station Chevron in February 2026. This project aims to streamline operations and improve service delivery. Please note that the gas station will be closed for fuel from February 2 to February 8.

Wishing You a Happy Holiday

Líl̓wat Retail appreciates your continued support as the seasons change and we transition into the holiday business hours. Together, we can look forward to a promising New Year for the Líl̓wat community and Líl̓wat business.

Warm wishes from ours to yours for a happy holiday season.

—Líl̓wat Retail Operations