Siyamiyateliyot was raised on Seabird Island, where she was raised by Mary Peters and Edmund Joe Peters. As a young woman, she accompanied Mary Peters to the Elders' Language Circle at the Coqualeetza Centre to translate. This way, Elizabeth was immersed in conversational sessions with Elders that were decades older than herself and kept her conversational language skills sharp this way. On June 6th, 2018, Siyamiyateliyot was awarded with an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of the Fraser Valley for her efforts to ensure that current and future generations can speak the language. This honorary degree recognized more than fifty years of work she has put in formally working to preserve the language. (Bio adapted from Courage to speak by Siyamtelot Shirley Leon and Sharon Syrette).

Hello my name is Bibiana Norris my traditional name is Sulisulwut. I am from Matsqui and Halalt First Nation. I teach the Halq’emeylem language. I started with the language in 1996 at Stó:lō Shxweli where I applied to take all language levels. I also took the Linguistics program through Simon Fraser University and completed in 2002. After I completed all of my courses I just went right into teaching Halq’emeylem. I then taught Halq’emeylem at Abbotsford School District, Chilliwack School District, Busy Bear at Sumas First Nation, and also her community Matsqui First Nation.

I started working with Stó:lō Nation Head Start Program where I taught every day to the children and also worked with the Bear Program through Stó:lō Head start program. I worked with Sts’ailes Community School and I was there for almost 11 years and I taught Preschool to grade 12. I worked for Tzeachten First Nation and taught community members for over 12 years. I also teach in Yakweakwioose Community for over 5 years now as well. I am now employed through Stó:lō Shxweli Language Program I love to teach the language to people that are interested. In a very strong way I am walking in my mother’s footsteps.

Keeping the language alive

Lori Kelly is a Semá:th member and has joined the Stó:lō Shxwelí team as the Language and Culture Education Program Coordinator. In this position she will be responsible for assisting with planning and supporting implementation of the program.

Lori has background work experience with Social Development, Administration and Education.

She is following an aspiration to serve the community, build personal/professional connections, and to continuously learn and practice Halqemeylem.

Willow Mussell is from Sqwá First Nation in Chilliwack, BC and has Stó:lō, Oneida, and Ukrainian ancestry. Mussell started working with Stó:lō Shxwelí in 2019 with the First Voices Program and S’íwes ye Syewálelh Sq’ep and is now the Program Advisor for the Stó:lō Shxwelí Halq’eméylem Language Program. 

Xwá:letelòt started learning Halq’eméylem in 2016 and has earned an Intermediate Halq’eméylem Proficiency Certificate and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of the Fraser Valley. She continues to further her education and language proficiency by working towards a Halq’eméylem Graduate Certificate from UFV and completing a Master’s Degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria. She enjoys learning and working with her Elders and sharing Halq’eméylem with others.

I was born in Germany, where my parents and extended family are still located. I came to Vancouver in my mid 20's, and completed a PhD in Linguistics at UBC. Since my graduation I have worked with several Indigenous communities in BC, as well as First Nations schools to support language revitalization. I've had the great privilege to support Stó:lō Shxwelí as Halq’méylem language resource developer and linguist since 2017. I am currently living with my three kids, a dog, and a few chickens on ancestral and unceded Sinixt territory.

coming soon

Jared was a former coordinator and illustrated many of the stories you find here. He also designed the logo and the website background. more coming soon

Dr. Strang Burton has been working with the program for many years as a linguist. He worked alongside ELders for many years, collecting the materials you see here on the website. He still supports the program as an advisor in occasion. more coming soon

Former Coordinator -- more coming soon!

Former curriculum support -- more coming soon

Resource development -- more coming soon

former coordinator -- more coming soon

Ts'áts'elexwot (Elizabeth Herrling), was born December 12, 1915 at Seabird Island in BC. 

 "I was raised at home with my parents where I lived until I reached the age of 15 years old. Then at the age of 15 years I was forced into an arranged wedding. At this time I moved in with my spouse. I lived with him for the rest of his life, where we raised our four children. I have three daughters, 2 of whom are still living and one which is deceased, as well as one son who is deceased. I love working with the Stolo Shxweli Halq'eméylem program. I never knew how to read the language, but since working with the program I am able to read and understand a lot of words, which I couldn't before. I worked from 1994 until 2002 with Rosaleen George, when we lost her--but when I come into work I hear her voice every day. We have audio recordings of her and now she will live forever with her mission in life, and that was to teach. Now my mission in life is also on its way, and that's to assist in teaching the children of tommorrow that their language will not die. You will always hear my voice, as well as Yamalot."

Tseloyóthelwet was born and raised in Matsqui Nation. in 1935 In the late 80's, she started to work at Coqualeetza, doing translations and working with Elizabeth Phillips. She also taught at the first Halq'eméylem Language program at Stó:ló Nation in 1994. She taught alongside Elders in the Stó:lō Shxwelí Program until her death in 2006.