Xwechtaal (kwitchtall) is an Elder Statesman from the Squamish Nation. Where he worked for 40 years and served 28 consecutive years on Chiefs and Council. A founding volunteer member of Squamish Nation Peacekeepers where their mandate was to observe, record and report. The Peacekeepers worked with local police detachments to keep their communities safe.

Dennis has a deep commitment to his community, his culture, his family and he is an ambassador for the Squamish Nation. Dennis is a visionary and has been taught from his youth by his parents, his aunts, uncles and his grandparents to always look ahead and work for generations that will come behind him.

After spending 28 years in his political career, he now works to educate others on who we are, what we have lived, how to make changes and work as allies in this world as Indigenous people. Dennis also has 5 national championships in lacrosse and continues to be a contributor to the sport as a teacher.

Dennis’ community impact extends to his heritage as a multi-generational musician. Among the first to be taught English by French Nuns at the turn of the 20th century, Dennis’ maternal Grandfather Andrew Paull was a self-taught musician who went on to be conductor of The Squamish Band/Orchestra.

Music was encouraged at home, where his father, Willard, passed on foundational lessons of brass instruments to him, while his mother, Yvonne’s musical support derived from her choir experience.

Today Dennis can be found collaborating with an artist from Haida Gwaii, Jamie Thompson, on his recordings as the duo known as the “Hitchhikers,” amongst other supportive roles as the harp player and backup vocalist for two additional groups including Bitterly Divine and Whyte Feather.