Stó:lo Shxwelí Program History

Since at least the 1970s, the Stó:lō community has actively been producing materials to ensure the preservation of the Halq'eméylem language for our future generations. In 1972, the Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre was formed to preserve and foster the Stó:lō cultural worldview, and grounding of their work in the Halq'eméylem language was key to this vision. Working with linguist Dr. Brent Galloway, the Coqualeetza Elders Group created the writing system later adopted as the official orthography for Halq'eméylem. Until the 1990s, Halq'eméylem teachers were focused on teaching new speakers of the language, but in 1994, the Stó:lō Shxwelí Halq'eméylem Language Program was created to support teachers through the development of resources, curriculum, and the sharing of methodologies for teaching languages. The curriculum they developed formed the basis of the University of the Fraser Valley's Halq'eméylem program which began in 2004. Currently housed at Stó:lo Natin, the Stó:lō Shxwelí program continues to support teachers through programs and resources. Please reach out if you have any questions, inquiries or suggestions. We want to hear from you!

E-mail us at info@stoloshxweli.org or call our coordinator Lori Kelly at 604-824-2418.