Tli’ichilwet Heather Andrew and Yuwunat Eileen Guss have spent the last 25 years transforming health and wellness services for Squamish Nation members through their deep-rooted partnership and shared commitment to healing. As leaders in mental health, harm reduction, and addiction recovery, Heather and Eileen have developed and led culturally grounded pathways of care that center Indigenous knowledge and lived experience.
Heather, a Senior Addictions Counsellor, integrates ceremony and cultural values into her approach, supporting community members through harm reduction, direct referrals, and innovative tools such as the ta skwálwentn app and the Treatment Navigator project. Eileen, a Mental Health Intake Coordinator, shapes Indigenous-led digital health solutions to ensure faster and more culturally safe access to care.
Together, they have led Squamish Nation’s frontline response to the opioid crisis and systemic challenges posed by the State of Health Emergency declaration. Their work is grounded in professional training, cultural practice, ceremony, and life experience. By weaving traditional teachings with clinical knowledge, they have earned the trust of their community and created a model of holistic healing. Their partnership has fostered lifesaving programs, inspired Indigenous health leadership, and built a foundation for lasting wellness.
