The University of the Fraser Valley in partnership with Éy St’elmexw St’elt’ílém/Good Medicine Songs (GMS), is hosting the Chowiyes-Xwithet/Rise Up-Wake Up! gathering on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, from 11:30 am–2:30 pm at the University of the Fraser Valley Gathering Place located at 45190 Caen Ave., Chilliwack, B.C. The gathering is free to attend, but in order to ensure a spot, you must pre-register by September 15 on EventBrite.
Chowiyes-Xwithet/Rise Up-Wake Up! event will honour the shxweli (“life spirit”) of children lost to residential schools, survivors, and their families. “The focus is two-fold,” said Dr. Lolehawk Laura Buker, the Indigenous project lead. “First, we are recognizing truth and reconciliation, the remembrance and the healing going forward. Second, we are celebrating our house of learning. Last year we placed a basket above the entrance to the Gathering Place. This year we will reaffirm all the teachings held within that basket, and explain why is it above the door. Then we will share our new song: Stam qwe seliw i te Sitel?/What is in the Basket?”
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.
Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
The concert and celebration run from 12:30–2:30 pm.
We kindly ask that once the gathering starts at 12:30 pm you remain in attendance until it concludes at 2:30 pm.
Thurs, Sept 28
11:30 am-2:30 pm
UFV Chilliwack campus – Gathering Place – A1457
For more information, contact Christina Forcier at christina.forcier@ufv.ca
09/28/2023