Indigenous Student Centre
Indigenous Student Centre
AT WEL, David Gutierrez, is from Chawathil First Nation.
David Gutierrez’s traditional name, AT WEL, was given to him by his mother 30 years ago. From a young age he learned storytelling, as well as drumming, from his mom Xwiyálemot, Matilda “Tillie” Gutierrez, and while working in the Hope School District. While learning storytelling, David also learned how to use the Halq’eméylem language and local history - learning the place names in the Hope area, knowing the stories, connecting to the land.
AT WEL started storytelling at UFV about 10 years ago and teaching the importance of slehà:l with his late sister Mary Sandoval (Siya-mot).
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