Xwelítem Siyáya: Allyship and Reconciliation Building
The UFV Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC), in partnership with UFV Continuing Education, the Stó:lō Nation, the Stó:lō Tribal Council, the Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre, and the Stó:lō Grand Chief’s Council, has launched a collaborative program initiative: Xwelítem Siyáya: Allyship and Reconciliation Building. This program seeks to help build people’s capacity for reconciliation-building by teaching the importance of authentic allyship and providing skills for building relationships between colonial settlers and Indigenous communities here in the Fraser Valley and beyond.
The program
2025 REGISTRATION
Tier one - Open January 2, 2025
Tier two - Delayed
The Xwelítem Siyáya: Allyship and Reconciliation Building program offers the opportunity for participants to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be an ally and how to embrace the goal of being in a constant state of learning and unlearning, relationship building, and transformative action.
Topics that will be covered in the program include, but are not limited to, Lands and Resources, Settler Colonialism, Governance, Assimilation and Residential Schools, and Culture and Spirituality.
TIER ONE (ARB T1)
The 2025 TIER ONE program will consist of a mixture of presentations (2nd Thursday of each month - no August offerings), workshops, and hands-on land-based learning opportunities, where participants will be guided in developing the knowledge and empathy necessary for becoming effective and respectful allies to local Indigenous communities.
Among the elective workshops will be drum making, cedar bark weaving, a Placename tour, introductions to the Halq'eméylem language, and other land-based learning experiences. To note, optional sessions may have additional cost.
The tentative schedule may be found in the monthly drop downs below. The topics, teachers, and locations are subject to change.
Program cost: $400.00
Registration is open January 2, 2025.
Registration Requirements and Accessibility Notices:
Participation in the Xwelítem Siyáya program requires a high level of dedication and engagement. Attendance is essential not only for your own learning but also to honor the collective effort and time of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and facilitators who are sharing their teachings.
We kindly ask that participants commit to attending a minimum of 15 of the 18 sessions/workshops, with no more than three unexcused absences, as this ensures you can fully benefit from the program’s teachings and maintain eligibility for future opportunities in upper-tier programs. If challenges arise, please let us know so we can work with you to support your continued participation.
Please review our full list of program requirements and accessibility notices prior to registering: 2025 ARB Registration Requirements
How to Register for Tier One 2025:
- Course Title: Xwelítem Siyáya: Allyship and Reconciliation Building
- CRN / Course Number: 20283
Phone 1-888-823-8734 and select option 1 to register through the Office of the Registrar.
Payment is due in full during the time of registration.
UFV Office of the Registrar hours of operation:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 am – 4 pm
- Wednesday: 9:30 am – 4 pm