AI, Language & Squamish Culture: Jonny Williams at Vancouver AI Meetup
Published: · 10:36
Join BC + AI: https://bc-ai.ca/membership/
Next Vancouver AI meetup: https://luma.com/vancouver-ai
VanAI September: How is AI shaping culture and leadership in BC? Host Kris Krug welcomes Johnny Williams from the Squamish Nation for a special Vancouver AI community night… mixing stories, ceremony, and technology.
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Jonny Williams, Squamish Nation candidate and cultural adviser, shares his journey… from running for Nation Council, singing the “Chief Song,” and revitalizing Squamish language, to using AI for cultural documents, education, and youth innovation.
📍 Chapters
00:06 Johnny Williams introduction
00:52 Johnny’s background & journey
01:18 Squamish Nation, elections, gratitude
01:54 Starting event with song & prayer
02:05 “Chief Song” & its story
03:24 Song performance
05:13 Reflections after song
05:20 Canoe journey & meeting Chris
06:10 Family’s involvement & culture
06:14 AI in cultural advisory work
07:37 AI in pamphlets, posters, candidacy
08:03 Squamish language and speakers
08:56 AI’s impact on advisory work
09:29 Squamish name for Vancouver
Join BC + AI: https://bc-ai.ca/membership/
Next Vancouver AI meetup: https://luma.com/vancouver-ai
About Vancouver AI
Welcome to Vancouver AI, part of the BC + AI grassroots ecosystem. We host monthly meetups, hackathons, and jams where developers, artists, researchers, and community leaders explore what it means to build human-first, ethical AI. Everyone’s welcome … whether you’re coding models, writing poems, or just curious about where AI is headed.
About BC + AI
The BC + AI Ecosystem Association is Canada’s first community-powered AI association. We help businesses, institutions, and citizens navigate artificial intelligence through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Guided by principles of ethics, inclusivity, transparency, and sustainability, we champion AI that serves public good—from climate resilience and healthcare equity to Indigenous language revitalization and creative expression.
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