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.

Roxanne Dool is from Squiala First Nation in Chilliwack BC. Roxanne started with Stó:lō Shxwelí in 2019 with First Voices. 

Roxanne started learning Halq’eméylem in 2014. Roxanne has participated in First People's Cultural Council's Mentor Apprentice Program (MAP). Through MAP, she has completed 900 hours of learning Halq'eméylem one on one with two elder language speakers. 

Roxanne promotes family language learning at home and in the community. She examples language learning with her family and helps organizations incorporate Halq’eméylem lullabies and phrases into their routines.

Aleeta Sepass is a Xwélmexw woman (Stó:lō & Stl'atl'imx) and she was born and raised in her home community of Sq'ewqeyl (Skowkale) in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

She offers archival support to the Stó:lō Shxwelí team, where she cares for language records and helps to make materials more accessible to the community.  

She is an undergraduate at the University of the Fraser Valley, where she will earn a Bachelor of Arts with two minors in history and anthropology. She has an interest to pursue an education in archival studies.

Aleeta enjoys learning Halq'eméylem with the Stó:lō Shxwelí team, and in her studies. She is working on the Halq'eméylem Advanced Proficiency Certificate offered at UFV.

Her favorite form of Halq'eméylem learning is to listen to the Stó:lō Shxwelí Hymns.

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

Iweslhi:lt (Strang Burton) has been working with the Stó:lō Shxwelí Halq'emeylem language program as a linguist and media and pedagogical materials developer since 1995, and has been an employee of the Stó:lō Nation since 2000. He is currently an associate professor of teaching in linguistics at UBC. He has also taught courses related to First Nations language revitalization and worked on program development at SFU, UVic, and NVIT.

Dr. Point currently serves as the Knowledge Keeper for the BC Assembly of First Nation Chiefs. She also served a term 2015-2018 as The Chancellor for the University of the Fraser Valley. She has a Doctor of Education from Simon Fraser University, a Master of Education from the University of Portland, a Post Baccalaureate from SFU, and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia. She also has an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Victoria. She served as Chatelaine for Government House and was an Honorary Patron in her role for numerous organizations with her husband who served as Lt. Governor for British Columbia. She currently is a Patron of the First Nation House at the University of Victoria. Numerous awards include, Paul Harris Fellow, Order of Chilliwack, BC Aboriginal Tourism Award, Seattle Art Museum: “The Recognition for work in First Nation Language & Culture”, The University of the Fraser Valley: “The Betty Urqhart Community Service Award”, Chilliwack School District set up 2 bursaries in her name.

Former Coordinator -- more coming soon!

Former curriculum support -- more coming soon

Resource development -- more coming soon

Michelle DeGroot is Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and grew up, and continues to live, in the Coast Salish ancestral and unceded territory.  Her career has focused on working for First Nations and Indigenous people through non-profits, including the Stó:lō Shxwelí Language Program where she worked from 1998-2000 as the program coordinator.

For the last 20 years, Michelle has focused on supporting First Nations health and wellness programming. Initially in various roles in the First Nations Chiefs’ Health Committee and then transitioning to the work of the First Nations Health Council and then the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

While at the FNHA, Michelle has been the Executive Director of Health Actions, the Executive Director, Programs and Community Wellness services and the Executive Director, Fraser Salish Region. Michelle has since moved to the position of Vice President Regional Operations, Fraser Salish Region. This role supports the regional team and works alongside Fraser Salish communities and partners, such as Fraser Health, to implement the various partnership accords and Regional Health and Wellness Plan.  

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.