Youth column: Squamish — A thriving community

We are so lucky to have such an amazing community here in Squamish.

Our diversity is growing, the arts scene in Squamish is thriving, and our cultural awareness is expanding. It feels like we are more connected as a community than ever before.

A sense of community — a connection to each other — is important; essential to a town’s growth.

Youth and adults are teaming up together to make important community decisions.

Recently, the Squamish Youth Council awarded a $10,000 grant to Howe Sound Secondary School for the courtyard revitalization project with input from community members in the audience.

We intended to receive this input so that we could respond to exactly what the community wants and needs, while still working on a current issue that is in our best interest to solve.

A community without connection is not a community at all. How can a band play music if only one of the musicians is playing? Let’s continue to work together and better understand one another.

Having an understanding of each other is also crucial to a community’s growth. From the young ones in our community to our wise elders, our togetherness is greatly increasing. More youth are being welcomed and encouraged to volunteer, and through that, we are building a stronger relationship with older community members.

Squamish has never seen so much diversity before. We’re having more cultural events, more 2SLGBTQIA+ events, and seeing new and diverse artists showing their work around town.

We are so lucky to have the ability to be who we are, without the risks one might find in a city. I have never felt more safe when walking down the street wearing my Yarmulke (a skullcap worn in public by Jewish men), which may have been a different story a few years ago.

Pride Squamish is doing an amazing job of putting on events and showing up around town to promote inclusivity and diversity.

Anyone should be able to be who they are, without any judgment. The late Kurt Cobain once said: “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not”, and I like to use this quote fairly often.

It’s a very powerful quote, and it tells me not to back down when expressing who I want to be.

There are still changes to be made, issues to be acted upon, and work to be done, but now it seems we are advancing rapidly to a better future.

Let’s continue to thrive as a community; let’s continue our drive toward change, and let’s help each other along the way.

If any youth reading this doesn’t feel a sense of community, I encourage you to visit Foundry’s new Youth Hub behind Howe Sound Secondary School, where youth and their families can access support from professionals.

Grant Boguski is a local teen and member of the Squamish Youth Council.