The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) celebrated the graduation of eight students from its Upriver Halq'eméylem Intermediate Proficiency Certificate program. This program, launched in 2023, is the first of its kind in Canada. It aims to revitalize the Halq'eméylem language, traditionally spoken by the Stó:lō people in the Fraser Valley region.
The graduates, all members of the Seabird Island First Nation, completed a two-year program that began in September 2023. The convocation ceremony took place on June 11, 2025, at UFV's Abbotsford campus. Hayley Walker, an elder's mobility program coordinator, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "I have dreamed about the ability to use Halq'eméylem words in our everyday life since I was little."
The program is part of UFV's commitment to Indigenous language revitalization. In 2024, UFV introduced a Graduate Certificate in Halq'eméylem, focusing on advanced research techniques for language restoration. This aims to develop skills for reviving the use of Halq'eméylem in society and education.
The Stó:lō Shxweli Halq'eméylem Language Program, established in 1994, collaborates with UFV. It offers courses and resources to support language learning and preservation. Despite challenges, the program continues to make strides in revitalizing Halq'eméylem.
In December 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior released a 10-year National Plan on Native Language Revitalization. This plan supports the revitalization, protection, preservation, and reclamation of Native languages across the United States. The success of UFV's program highlights the role of educational institutions in preserving Indigenous languages and cultures.