Squamish Nation Welcomes First Senakw Tenants in 6,000-Home Vancouver Project
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Squamish Nation Welcomes First Senakw Tenants in 6,000-Home Vancouver Project
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 15
Summary
First tenants moved into Senakw at the end of May, marking the initial occupancy of a Squamish Nation development planned to deliver 6,000 homes across 11 towers in Vancouver.
The project sits on 10 acres of land returned by the Canadian government to the Squamish, where the nation is building what the article describes as Canada’s densest residential neighborhood.
Senakw will address only part of Vancouver’s shortage—the city says it needs 83,000 new homes by 2033—but its early opening offers a visible test of faster, higher-density housing construction.
In a city described as North America’s least affordable urban area by many measures, the development is presented as a challenge to the zoning and approval barriers that have constrained new housing.
As a First Nation becomes a city's biggest developer, how is it balancing billions in revenue with its cultural legacy?
Can Indigenous sovereignty fast-track housing solutions for cities, or does bypassing zoning laws create a new set of problems?
Sen̓áḵw Opens: 6,000 New Homes Mark Historic Indigenous-Led Urban Development in Vancouver
Overview
In June 2026, the Sen̓áḵw development reached a major milestone as it officially opened and welcomed its first residents, turning years of planning into reality. Applications for units began in late May, and the Squamish Nation greeted new tenants with a special ceremony, including the traditional brushing of the first tower, tl’eltl’élnup. This event, attended by many Squamish Nation members and guests, highlighted the deep cultural significance and strong sense of community ownership at Sen̓áḵw. The opening marks the start of a vibrant new chapter, blending modern living with Indigenous culture and values.