stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society, formerly Coast Salish Arts and Cultural Society, was established as a not-for-profit organization in 2014 to support, uplift, and empower Indigenous artists to share their gifts throughout the Metro Vancouver region. Our work prioritizes the development of opportunities for artists of all traditional and contemporary Indigenous cultural practices to grow and share their skills, engage with and learn from other Indigenous artists and community members, and promote their work within the community and beyond.

We work collaboratively with the local land-based First Nations, urban Indigenous, and Métis communities and organizations to provide inclusive and relevant programs and support to artists and community members alike. Situated within Coast Salish lands of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), Máthekwi (Matsqui), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) First Nations, we frequently collaborate with artists from these communities, and with the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society and the Waceya Métis Society, to deliver programming. We also have a strong relationship with the Langley School District, and support the Aboriginal Program within Langley Schools.

The work that we do at stɑl̓əw̓ is guided by the seven traditional laws passed down by our ancestors: health, happiness, generations, generosity, humbleness, forgiveness, and understanding. We welcome all those interested in learning about and practising Coast Salish arts and culture, to join us. Our goal is to create a better world for future generations by sharing our knowledge and practices and by celebrating and respecting the lands on which we live, work, and create.

stɑl̓əw̓ facilitates workshops and other cultural events to help revitalize traditional culture in our community and beyond. Transforming our workshops to a digital format over the past year has improved the accessibility of our programs, reaching Indigenous artists and communities across the world: we’ve had participants from all over B.C., Alberta, Ontario, California, and even the UK! Archiving these workshops online ensures that they are available to a broader audience through both space and time.

Each workshop, program, or event we deliver combines multiple art forms, encouraging community participation. Singing and drumming in our hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and halq’eméylem languages are key components to our dancing, weaving, carving, visual arts, storytelling, videography, and cooking practices. We intertwine these practices in our everyday lives and encourage our community members to do the same.

stɑl̓əw̓ has offered virtual language and cooking lessons, and a variety of workshops and gatherings over the past year to encourage both mental and physical wellbeing through participation in traditional and contemporary art practices. Our organization has been fortunate to receive funding from the following sources to support this work: BC Arts Council, First Peoples’ Cultural Council, Vancouver Foundation, Emergency Community Support Fund (distributed by Surrey Cares Foundation on behalf of Community Foundations of Canada), LiUNA! Local 1611, and Kwantlen First Nation Headstart.