RESOURCES - Language books & lists; Archives; Gift Shop.
OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES: Language & Cultural workshops/services; Salish/Cedar Weaving; Family Ties workshop; and new to the organization, Residential School support services.
Elders' Group, weekly meetings & annual trips.
One cannot help but realize the importance of the Elders to our communities and to the preservation of our culture. They have been constant providers of research information and wise leadership to the staff of Coqualeetza since the founding of the cultural centre in 1973.
Meetings are held each Wednesday, where approximately 35 to 50 Elders gather from noon to 3:00 p.m. to share a meal, verify curriculum, socialize with guests, respond to requests for information, provide support and guidance to the Alternate school students and most importantly to keep up to date on the never ending changes affecting their daily lives. The Elders constantly remind us that they want to be part of the planning and implementation of programs and services designed for their benefit.
The Coqualeetza Elders' Group are responsible for initiating many important events resulting in numerous positive spinoffs which is encouraged, for ultimately that was the purpose of introducing or reviving them. Unfortunately, they are often not awarded the deserved recognition for their insight and efforts.
The Coqualeetza Elders have their own executive council consisting of a President, Vice-president and Signing Officers for their own seperate bank account. One position for the Coqualeetza Board of Directors is reserved for an Elder representative.
Membership for the Coqualeetza Elders Group has always be guided by an open door policy.
HALQ'EMEYLEMQEL ~ the Sto:lo Alphabet
The following chart illustrates the officially adopted writing system for the Halq'emeylem language. This system was derived by the fluent speaking Elders of the Sto:lo territory with the assistance of linguist Brent Galloway. Acknowledgement and appreciation is extended to the many individuals who had the forsight to begin recording and documenting the language. These individuals grew to become known as the Skulkayn Heritage Project; then in turn the Coqualeetza Elders Group. The Coqualeetza Elders (fluent speakers) officially adopted this writing system in 1975. To them we graciously say, "Tset xwelchesem late lhewelep" 'We raise our hands in thanks and respect"
Coqualeetza Centre has an obligation to those fluent speakers of Halq'emeylem to record, revive, protect, teach, develop and publish materials utilizing their writing system. A published resource explaining and using this writing system is, the Halq'emeylem Classified Word List..."To:lmels ye Selyolexwe" ...'Wisdom of the Elders'...this is an excellent reference for learners of Halq'emeylem.
Halq'emeylem is being taught in first nations schools and in communities. Coqualeetza provides not only moral support but encourages empowerment to individuals/communities whose interest enhances Halq'emeylem prestige. We do this by providing support through spelling, meanings, pronunciation, translations, visual and audio teaching/learning aids and in some cases Halq'emeylem instruction. Our ultimate goal is to achieve fluency.
The most consistant program for Halq'emeylem instruction through the Centre is provided on a daily basis to the Chilliwack Landing Preschool.
Archives
Materials housed in the library and archives include transcripts, video and audio tapes, unpublished manuscripts, books, historical records, DIA, church and consensus records. The archives and library is open daily.
Many members come to research their family trees, and to find Halq'emeylem names from past family members. Many scholars come to do research on papers or thesis. There is a wealth of information housed in our archives and it has become an extremely valuable resource centre for our members. We do encourage membership and individuals to utilize the information in our Archives; however, some restrictions do apply and therefore request your cooperation.
Sto:lo Sitel Curriculum
Coqualeetza has impacted youth through the development and publishing of educational materials for the public schools. In 1976, the Elders suggested to document the history and publish it in useable materials, since more than 75% of our students attended public schools, it was decided that Social Studies units for each grade level would be the way to document the culture and education for our children. The Sto:lo Sitel Curriculum did just that. The integrative inquiry methodology was employed because it is the most compatible with the learning and teaching styles of the Sto:lo. We also provide resource support to educational programs through resource people, demonstrations of traditional arts and textiles, archival data, etc. There is on-going development of curriculum lesson plans provided for local schools and private schools.
Publications of this program include:
In the Works:
Cultural Programs
The Centre provides educational kits for public and First Nation schools, facilitates cultural and educational workshops, provides cultural orientation, gathers and compiles information, and provides a retail outlet for artists and craftspeople. Programs are administered and developed as requested by supporting First Nations. Programs are designed to meet the communities needs and are provided to supporting First Nation communities.
Media Production
Over the years the Media Production Centre operated to support all of the Centre's operations. The media centre offered a wide range of audio-visual and print services and contributes to the development of programs and provide staff with a variety of media for the communication of information and ideas. The media centre was established in 1975 to produce media materials for the curriculum development department. Media was interpreted to mean something intervening and acting as a means of communication that would effectively present Sto:lo ideas, culture, history and language to all communities.
Funding cutbacks resulting from Sto:lo First Nations withdrawing band council resolution support attributes to the decision to close the media centre. However, during it's operation the staff collected hundreds of hours of video tape, audio tape and thousands of photographs which are housed in the Centre's library. Video Productions were completed as well as aboriginal related documentaries and news stories were copied from regular television programming. Most of the media was produced on half inch and three quarter inch tape. The Centre is currently in the process of trying to find funding to digitize on computer or current tecnological mediums.
Communication
The cultural centre staff started the first Sto:lo Nation News, providing current news to the supporting membership. All issues are stored in the library/archives for reference. The centre continues to produce a quarterly newsletter which is sent to all supporting first nations.
Education Awards
The cultural centre administers two education awards that are awarded annually to students pursuing post secondary education. 1988 the family of Pam Koczapska's kindly set up this fund and in 1993 Jeannette Peter's family provided this fund. Students submit applications, a review committee selects a candidate, and the award is presented at the Coqualeetza Annual General Meeting.
Halq'emeylem Language Program
Halq'emeylem is the ancestral language of the Sto:lo people. Halq'emeylem is part of the Halkomelem Language Family.