Meet our faculty

Naxaxalhts’i Albert “Sonny” Jules McHalsie is the Cultural Advisor / Sxweyxwiyam (Historian) at Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre, Stó:lō Nation, in Chilliwack, B.C.  Sonny’s journey in cultural and history preservation and transmission began in 1978.  Sonny began working in his home territory as an archaeological assistant but was soon drawn into the oral histories and the stories of the Stó:lō.  His natural gift as a storyteller and Sxweyxwiyam led him to listen closely to the Stó:lō elders and to generously share what he learned at every opportunity.  In 1985 Sonny began work for Stó:lō Tribal Council (currently Stó:lō Nation) as a heritage researcher and later as a Cultural researcher.  His work with Stó:lō has led him to being an Executive Director supervising archival, genealogical, heritage, justice and environmental staff.  Simultaneously, Sonny served as a Si:yam (on Chief and Council) for his community of Shxw’ōw’hamel.  In 2011 Sonny received recognition for his leadership in the interpretation of Coast Salish culture when he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Victoria.  Sonny continues his work at Stó:lō as a Cultural Advisor / Sxweyxwiyam(Historian).  Sonny has taught at UFV in the Indigenous Maps, Films, Rights and Land Claims Certificate; and he has taught for UVic in the Ethnohistory Field School.  Naxaxalhts’i has numerous published and unpublished papers, and participates as a Director, Chair and member of many committees, including UFV’s Aboriginal Community Council, that contribute the preservation and transmission of Stó:lō culture, heritage and history.  Sonny is a treasured resource among the Stó:lō and is called upon often to teach and advise in all the Stó:lō communities and organizations.