Shxwt’a:selhawtxw Longhouse Program
The House of Long Ago and Today...
Background
Shxwt'a: selhawtxw – The House of Long Ago & Today has been in operation since 1995. This program offers teachers and students a hands-on approach to learning about the Stó:lō way of life, philosophy, technology and culture. Stó:lō artists and crafts people are the cultural interpreters who create original objects and replica pieces while interacting with guests.
Activities
-
Tours: Maintain Shxwt'a:selhawtxw Interpretive Centre, Ethnobotanical garden and Longhouse as a First Hand Place of Learning, unlike a public school environment or Museum. Provide access to public for group or individual tours year-round.
-
Grade 4 Program: Host over 900 Grade 4 Students from School District 33 for interactive cultural learning opportunities.
-
Steqó:ye Program - School Outreach Program: Provide interactive learning opportunities in classrooms through presentations and workshops.
-
Events: Cultural Committee member that assists with cultural events such as Stó:lō Veterans Day, First Salmon, Burnings, Naming, Graduation and honoring Ceremonies.
Design Your Own Tour
Smell the cedar, feel the history, try your hand at weaving. Listen to the stories of long ago of the significance of the masks and salmon. Sense the sacredness of the history kept alive in the traditions and culture displayed in artifacts and exhibits.
Create Your Own Tour!
You can build your own custom tour by selecting from the following areas of interest.
Bannock
-
Carving
-
Cedar, Bark, & Wool Weaving
-
Fishing
-
Slahal
-
Speakers
-
Story Telling
-
Lands and resources
To prepare for your visit, the ceremonial fire will be burning. Smoke from the fire is noticeable and may affect people with asthma or allergies.
Our goal is to raise awareness of Stó:lô cultural traditions by offering a variety of relevant programs to students, teachers, the Stó:lô community and the public.
For more information on creating your own tour, download the booking form here! (PDF, 224KB).
More Information
Partners
Chilliwack School District
-
Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre
-
Stó:lō Nation Departments, Communities, Programs, Elders groups
-
Chilliwack Social Health programs
-
Veterans are involved in universal gatherings.
Desired Outcome
Incorporate the Halq'eméylem language as the first language in all resource materials and presentations'.
-
Establish a resource library of Stó:lō history, culture and traditional values.
-
Stó:lō Nation Departments, Communities, Programs, Elders groups
-
Curriculum development of archived Stó:lō stories and legends that can be used in the education system.
-
Maintain Shxwt'a:selhawtxw Interpretive Centre, Ethno botanical garden and Longhouse as a first hand place of learning unlike an public school environment or museum.
-
Continue working relationship with Chilliwack School District and Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre.
Statistics
Tours: Each tour participant completes an evaluation form, and the data is recorded.
-
Grade 4 Program: Teachers and students complete evaluation forms, which are recorded and stored.
-
School Outreach Program: Cultural resource worker will record all activities attended and report will be prepared.
-
Artifacts: Traditional artifacts and display items which are donated to the Stó:lō Nation Shxwt'a:selhawtxw, Longhouse Extension Program are logged into inventory.
-
Events: Attendance is recorded by sign in and these sheets are kept on file.
Evaluation Strategy
Evaluation form feedback for each tour participant.
-
Tour Booking Expansion.
-
Each event is measured by the equivalency of attendee's, which increased each year. Recognition for success is recorded in the return of guests, volunteers and officials.
-
Many of the events, tours have become regional, provincial, nationally and internationally recognized by those eager to learn more about the Stó:lō people.
