The University of the Fraser Valley in partnership with Éy St’elmexw St’elt’ílém / Good Medicine Songs, and supported by Tire Stewardship BC (“TSBC”) and BC Used Oil Management Association (“BCUOMA”), announced that the Chowiyes-Xwithet / Rise Up-Wake Up! event will be taking place on Sept. 29, 2022, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the University of the Fraser Valley Gathering Place located at 45190 Caen Ave., Chilliwack, B.C. The event is free to attend, but people must register at Event Brite.
Chowiyes-Xwithet / Rise Up-Wake Up! event will honour the shxweli (“life spirit”) of children lost to residential schools, survivors, and their families, and is dedicated to reconciliation and revitalization of Halq’eméylem, the up-river dialect of the Stó:lō people.
Chowiyes-Xwithet / Rise Up-Wake Up! will feature bilingual Good Medicine Songs, written in Halq’eméylem and English. The song lyrics are steeped in Sxwōxwiyám (“stories from the distant past”), and Sqwélqwel (“true family stories”). Good Medicine Songs create a unique cross-cultural space for people of all backgrounds to enjoy, learn and sing together in Halq’eméylem.