The community of Chilliwack, located an hour east of Vancouver, is one of the largest communities (approximate pop. 70,000) in the Fraser Valley, serving as one of the main economic, educational and cultural hubs of the area. Chilliwack makes for an exceptional project site, allowing teachers from School District 33 to collaborate with the Stó:lõ Community.
The history of Chilliwack stretches back thousands of years, beginning with the First Nations community who lived in this beautiful area and gave it the name Chilliwack , meaning "quieter water at the head".
As the last ice sheets retreated around 10,000 years ago, the Stó:lõ people came to inhabit the Lower Fraser Valley around Chilliwack . The importance of the river for these people is reflected in the meaning of Stó:lõ, People of the River.
Life for the Stó:lõ changed dramatically about 200 years ago as fur trade routes extended to British Columbia . In 1828 the Hudson 's Bay Company founded Fort Langley, and the Stó:lõ became part of the fur trade economy.
In Chilliwack the company operated a salmon saltery at the mouth of the Chilliwack River , near Chilliwack Mountain . The Stó:lo supplied the fish and labour for this successful operation.
During the Gold Rush, Chilliwack grew as a steamboat landing and supply centre for those who sought their fortunes in the north. Realizing that the grasslands in the Chilliwack area offered greater opportunities for creating wealth through farming rather than panning for gold, some of these gold seekers settled in the area.
Chilliwack 's continued growth resulted in the incorporation of the Township of Chilliwack in 1873.
Farming has been a way of life in Chilliwack for well over a hundred years. Today, approximately 65% of Chilliwack 's land is dedicated to agriculture. Agricultural sectors include floriculture, organic fruits and vegetables, livestock, dairy, poultry and food processing.
Stó:lõ Nation
There are 24 First Nation communities within Stó:lõ Nation. Nineteen of these are members of Stó:lõ Nation and 5 are independent Nations.
Member
Nations include Aitchelitz, Chawathil, Cheam, Kwantlen,
Kwaw-Kwaw-Apilt, Lakahahmen, Matsqui, Popkum, Scowlitz, Seabird Island
, Shxw'ow'hamel, Skawhalook, Skowkale, Skway, Soowahlie, Squiala,
Sumas, Tzeacten, and Yakweakwioose.
Independent Nations include Chehalis, Peters, Skwah, Union Bar and Yale
The
Stó:lõ Nation First Nation communities are all located in the Fraser
Valley between Hope and Langley. The current population for the Stó:lõ
Nation is 3832 members with 48% residing on-reserve, 6% residing on
another reserve and 46% residing off-reserve.
School District No. 33
School District No. 33
covers approximately 1,825 square kilometres which includes the City of
Chilliwack and the rural areas of Yarrow and Cultus Lake . Chilliwack
School District has 34 schools: 22 elementary schools (K-6), 5 middle
schools (7-9), 2 senior secondary schools (10-12), several alternative
schools, and a storefront school. These schools are attended by over
12,100 students, of whom close to 12% are Aboriginal, and are served by
more than 1,100 teachers, support staff and administrators.
Brenda Point, the project leader for Chilliwack coordinates the teachers from participating schools.
