The ancient beliefs of Stó:lō people are layered throughout the land and language. This season, we will explore a set of Halq’eméylem principles that Naxaxalhts’i Sonny McHalsie has written down. Through his work recording oral history and language with Elders over the last several decades, he’s identified key phrases that have been repeated time and time again. These principles could be considered the guiding laws for our Stó:lō Way of Life.
In this third episode of the season we explore: Xólhmet te mekw’ stam s’i:wes te selsila:lh chet. “Take care of everything our great grandparents taught (showed) us.” This 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. Listen to the episode to learn more and download the podcast notes.
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