Stetís ímexstowx, translating to “walk beside us” in the Halq’eméylem language, takes place annually on September 30 as an opportunity to come together and build a deeper awareness of our roles in the ongoing path toward Reconciliation.
Local civic organizations, including UFV’s Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC), come together at Thunderbird Square and Civic Plaza with a shared goal of creating space for learning, understanding, and connection. Throughout the day, community members are invited to participate in learning opportunities focused on Truth and Reconciliation, including the histories and ongoing impacts of residential schools.
PARC will be contributing two activation stations to this year’s gathering:
- Beyond Blankets: A Stó:lō Lands Exercise — an interactive, place-based learning experience that invites participants to engage with the impacts of colonization on Stó:lō lands and peoples through reflection, dialogue, and learning.
- Sts’elemeqw Residential School Thrivers Society Videos — a showcase of videos sharing the experiences and stories of Sts’elemeqw Residential School Thrivers Society members. The gathering will open with an opening ceremony at 10 am and close with story and drumming with T’it’elem Spath/Stelómeten (Eddie Gardner) at 2:30 pm.
Community members are welcome to join for all or part of the day. For the full schedule of activities, locations, and information about our time together, please visit the dedicated Stetís ímexstowx website.
Wed, Sept 30
Civic Plaza, 32355 Veterans Way, Abbotsford
For more information, contact Leanne Jarrett at leanne.jarrett@ufv.ca
10/01/2026