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Peace and Reconciliation Centre

UFV/Peace and Reconciliation Centre/Beyond Blankets

Beyond Blankets

Beyond Blankets: A Stó:lō Lands Exercise

Note: We are piloting this exercise between Jan-Sept 2025. We welcome your help as we strive to make this the best learning experience possible. We invite participants to provide us with suggestions for improvements so a finalized version can be launched in September 2025Welcome to Beyond Blankets: A Stó:lō Lands Exercise. This immersive and transformative learning experience was developed by Dr. Keith Thor Carlson at the University of the Fraser Valley’s (UFV) Peace and Reconciliation Centre (PARC) in response to a request from Xwiyolemtel (Grand Chief Clarence “Kat” Pennier). Xwiyolemtel wanted an experiential learning exercise that would foster understandings of Stó:lō culture, history, and connection to the land, while highlighting the impacts of settler colonialism, and still celebrating Stó:lō resilience. Inspired by a wide range of Stó:lō Elders and Knowledge Keepers (past and present) many of whose voices are quoted in this exercise, Beyond Blankets is uniquely designed to help lay a foundation upon which people can begin contributing directly to Stó:lō cultural and political resurgence and genuine Stó:lō-settler reconciliation.

Who should participate?

Whether you're an educator looking for professional development or an organization seeking to enhance cultural training, Beyond Blankets provides a powerful learning experience. Through interactive role-play, storytelling, and movement across blankets that represent Stó:lō history, participants will explore:

  • Core elements of Stó:lō culture and lifeways
  • Stó:lō sxwoxwiyam (origin and transformer stories) and sqwelqwel (history)
  • The impacts of smallpox epidemics
  • The fur trade and Stó:lō prophesy
  • The Gold Rush and colonialism in the Fraser Valley
  • The cumulative effects of colonialism through time
  • Residential Schools and assimilation
  • Stó:lō resilience and resurgence

This hands-on exercise encourages reflection, builds cultural awareness, and helps participants understand the lasting impacts of colonization. Our goal is for participants to leave inspired to take meaningful steps towards building reconciliation.

What to Expect?

  • Duration: Activity approx. 2-hours, with an additional 1-hour for set up and teardown. 
  • Facilitation: Guided by two professional facilitators from PARC, bringing expertise, care, and cultural knowledge to the session.
  • Materials Provided: All necessary materials are included. Please note, your team will be responsible for setting up and ensuring the functionality of any onsite technology, including audio systems such as microphones, as well as data projectors.
  • Optional PowerPoint:  Enhance the experience with an optional PowerPoint presentation. If you choose to include this, your team will need to provide and set up the necessary equipment (e.g., data projector, computer/laptop, HDMI cable) and ensure it is operational. Our facilitators will supply the presentation on a USB drive.
  • Outcomes: Develop deeper cultural awareness, empathy, and motivation to support resurgence and reconciliation initiatives. 
  •  Invoicing: Invoices will be issued by UFV Finance after the date of service. 

Booking Details

We welcome both UFV internal departments and external organizations to book Beyond Blankets. Please review the booking requirements and complete the appropriate form below.

UFV Internal Bookings

  • Fees: Flat rates based on campus location:
    • $220.00- Chilliwack (CEP) campus
    • $260.00- Abbotsford campus
    • $280.00- Mission campus
  • Requirements:
    • Group size of 15-45 participants.
    • Large, open space for the session (e.g., gymnasium, community hall, or classroom).
    • Host is responsible for booking a suitable room for 3 hours (to allow for setup and teardown).
    • Optional: Data projection and/or microphone systems can enhance the experience, but are not mandatory.

External Bookings

  • Fees:
    • $467.50 plus GST for up to 25 participants
    • Additional $150.00 plus GST for groups of 26–35 participants
    • Additional $150.00 plus GST for groups of 36–45 participants (maximum group size: 45)
  • Requirements:
    • Large, open space at the chosen location.
    • Parking for two facilitators (reserved or free community parking).
    • Optional: Data projection and/or microphone systems can enhance the experience but are not mandatory.

Stó:lō Organization Bookings

  • Fees:
    • $400.00 plus GST (unless GST exempt) for up to 45 participants
  • Requirements:
    • Large, open space at the chosen location.
    • Parking for two facilitators (reserved or free community parking).
    • Optional: Data projection and/or microphone systems can enhance the experience, but are not mandatory.

Internal Booking Form

External & Stó:lō Organization Booking Form

Frequently Asked Questions: 

What is required to host a session?

You’ll need a large, open space such as a gymnasium, hall, or classroom. Optional equipment like a data projector or microphone system can enhance the session. External bookings also require two parking spaces for facilitators.

 

 

PARC may capture photos or videos for promotional purposes. Participants can opt out of being photographed or recorded by indicating this preference when booking.

 

 

Questions?
Contact us anytime at parc@ufv.ca.