“Stetís ímexstowx” is a Halq’eméylem expression meaning “walk beside us.” It is the name of the Truth and Reconciliation recognition event planned by local community partners taking place Monday, Sept. 30, at various locations around the Civic Precinct in Abbotsford.
At the heart of the event is the hope that the community can come together to learn, reflect and discover a better way forward together. The interactive activities, performances and storytelling that will be shared will honour and recognize residential school survivors, their families and communities, as well as the children who never returned home.
We encourage community members to visit the stations set up at the Reach Gallery Museum, Abbotsford School District Office, Clearbrook Library, Abbotsford Police Department and Abbotsford Fire Rescue Station No. 1. The event reflects the positive and collaborative approach that the partners have taken in the planning of the event, and sets the tone for the family-friendly activities and experiences that the community will be able to participate in on Monday, Sept. 30.
City Council would like to acknowledge and thank all of our community partners who organized the recognition activities: Abbotsford Children’s Theatre, Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service, Abbotsford Police Department, Abbotsford School District, City of Abbotsford, Clearbrook Library, Literacy Matters Abbotsford, the Reach Gallery Museum, Tourism Abbotsford, the United Way and the University of the Fraser Valley’s Peace and Reconciliation Centre.
We are also grateful for and recognize the contribution of the Abbotsford School District’s Indigenous Education Council, the Fraser Valley Métis Association and other Indigenous knowledge keepers who provided feedback and cultural guidance for this event.
Kw'as ho:y (Thank you),
Abbotsford City Council