S02E01: S’ólh Téméxw te íkw’elò: This is our Land

In this first episode of the season we explore: S’ólh Téméxw te íkw’elò. Xólhmet te mekw stám ít kwelát. This is our Land.  We have to take care of everything that belongs to us.

Guests:

Xwelíqwiya Rena Point-Bolton

Naxaxalhts’i Sonny McHalsie

S02E02 Shxw’eywelh mestiyexw: A generous person

In this second episode of the season we explore: Shxw’eywelh mestiyexw “A generous person.” This teaching recalls not only the story of xepá​:y, a generous man who was transformed into a cedar tree, but the idea that knowledge is only important when you share it. Thank you to our guests for their generosity.

Guests: Iyoxweliya Val Joe and Naxaxalhts’i Sonny McHalsie

S02EP3 Xólhmet te mekw’ stam s’i:wes te selsila:lh chet: Take care of everything our great grandparents taught (showed) us.

In this third episode, the teaching reminds us of our responsibilities to seven generations past and seven generations forward. It also reminds us of the important Stó:lō concept of sqwélqwel.

Guests: Siyémches Terry Horne, Naxaxalhts’i Sonny McHalsie, Th’eláchiyatel Richard Malloway (from recording)

S02E04 This Is Who We Are. Storytelling and the oral tradition

In this fourth episode, we explore storytelling and the oral tradition and why it is important to our people. We welcome gifted storyteller Shóyshqwelwhet Gwen Point as she talks to us about Xepa:y, her grandmother and so much more.

Guests: Shóyshqwelwhet Gwen Point

S02E05 Xaxa stexw te selsila:lh te skwixw. Respect your ancestors’ name

In this fifth episode, we talk to members of the Roberts family from Ch’iyáqtel/Tzeachten about their ancestral names and how they received them. Xaxa stexw te selsila:lh te skwixw. Respect your ancestors’ name is still such an important Stó:lō principle.

Guests: Amelia Roberts, (Ts’x welméxw); Sherry Phillips-Roberts, (Kwéts’lexwiya:ot); Whispering Redmoon Roberts (Lhálheqem Tskwí:m Skw’exó:s); Littlecloud Roberts; (Axwíl shxw’áthetel)

S02E06 Thehítchexw ta’ sqwálewel: Keep your mind on what you’re doing.

In this sixth episode, we talk with youth about staying on a good path when there is so much going on in the world and in their personal lives. Tyson George Kelly and the Stó:lō Xwexwílmexw youth coordinator Jen Archie talk with Stó:lō Signal host A’aliya Warbus about an important principle Thehítchexw ta’ sqwálewel “Keep your mind on what you’re doing.”

Guests: Tyson George Kelly and Jen Archie

S02 E07 Tset hikwstexw te sqwelteltsetwe: Hold our language high

The Halq’eméylem language is spoken from Five Mile Creek near Yale to the mouth of the Fraser River. Christine Seymour of Sq’ewqéyl did not plan to become a language teacher when she went to university, but that’s how her career has worked out. With only one fluent speaker of the Upriver dialect left, we must Tset hikwstexw te sqwelteltsetwe “Hold our language high.” In this episode, Christine tells her story to The Fraser Valley Current’s Grace Kennedy.

Guests: Christine Seymour and Grace Kennedy

S02E08 Ma:mt’ lam te mekw wat. Share with everybody.

When Stó:lō Elder Elizabeth Herrling told Sonny McHalsie that knowledge is only important when you share – that you could be the smartest person in the world and know everything, but if you don’t share it, it’s meaningless – it set him on a path to become the Nation’s historian. Naxaxalhts’i shares stories about his work recording Elders, learning history and why he thinks that all Stó:lō need to hear what he has learned.

Guest: Naxaxalhts’i Dr. Sonny McHalsie

S02E09 Lhlímèlhcha o eyálewet

This is a clean slate. We’re starting over. Let’s see what we can do. Stacy McNeil was given these words of encouragement when she started her job as manager of Sq’ewqéyl, one of several small Stó:lō communities surrounded by the City of Chilliwack. She knew she could get things done, but she also knew from her upbringing in the community of Seabird Island across the Fraser River, that listening to the community voices is essential to moving forward. Listen in as she shares stories about her efforts to help not only Sq’ewqéyl, but also Áthelets and Yeqwyeqwí:ws’s dreams come true.

Guest: Stacey McNeil, Executive Director of Sq’ewqéyl