Our Elders share their stories, personal histories, and traditional teachings in the Hul’q’umi’num’ language. The Hul’q’umi’num’ territory extends over 100 kilometers along the shores of the Salish Sea in British Columbia, Canada. The Elders have expressed great concern for the future generations and hope that these tellings will help keep the language alive. They have laid down their stories to help those who want to learn the language, and we thank them for sharing their wisdom.
Arnold Sylvester
siilece’ Arnold Sylvester was a respected Elder and Knowledge Keeper from the Halalt First Nation. He was a fluent speaker of both Hul’q’umi’num’ and English and generously shared his knowledge of the language, culture, teachings and traditions of his people with linguists and other scholars.
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Bill Seward: Stories and Teachings
Snuneymuxw Elder Bill Seward – Ts’uqw’nustun – shares stories about his life and territory as well as snuw’uyulh, traditional cultural teachings.
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Lussy Aleck
Elizabeth (Lussy) Aleck of Stz’uminus First Nation tells stories and histories, and speaks on the power of prayer.
See storiesMrs. Jimmy Joe
thixil-hwut | Mrs. Jimmy Joe January 15, 1882–February 20, 1967 Known as Mrs. Jimmy Joe, thixil-hwut Ellen Wyse (née Rice) was born January 15, 1882 at puneluxutth’. Her father, kwalheton George Harold Rice, was from Snokwomush and her mother, xalunamut Mary Ann Rice (née Pielle), was from puneluxutth’. Her mother xalunamut, was a skilled weaver,
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Ruby Peter
Kwa’mutsun Elder Ruby Peter – Sti’tuma’t – shares stories including videos of her sharing stories learned from her parents.
See storiesWilfred Sampson
Wilfred Sampson October 10, 1910 – December 9, 1988 Wilfred Sampson was a respected Elder and Knowledge Keeper from Shell Beach. He was a member of the Stz’uminus First Nation. Sampson was a fluent speaker of the Hul’q’umi’num’ language and generously shared his knowledge of the language, history, culture and traditions of his people with
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