Éy St’elmexw St’elt’ílém - GOOD MEDICINE SONGS - WORKSHOPS
We are pleased to announce we now offer workshops and presentations for community groups, schools, cultural retreats, conferences and wherever it's needed.
Good Medicine Songs (GMS) (est 2019) creates bilingual songs and stories in English, and Halq’eméyelm, the upriver dialect of the Stó:lō First Nations in the eastern Fraser Valley. GMS is made up of Stó:lō Elders, language and cultural carriers, and non-Indigenous singer-songwriter-musicians. Dr. Siyamiyateliyot Elizabeth Phillips, the last remaining fluent speaker of Halq’eméylem, is our GMS spiritual and language guide.
The songs are a unique blend of music that integrates eco-rock with the heartbeat of First Nations – our drums. This brings our language alive in a very lively way, much to the delight of all who hear them. Our songs and stories carry teachings of our Stó:lō showeyelh (laws, principles and values) that go back thousands of years and are still relevant today. This is where ancient wisdom meets modern life realities, and inspires and cultivates what needs to be valued the most – life sustaining gifts from Ta:l Témexw (Mother Earth.)
Workshops feature 2-4 performers in more intimate settings. We teach some of the Halq’eméylem lyrics. We invite participants to sing with us and share their experiences. There is healing in singing together. Together we shine a light on the medicine in the language, songs, stories, spirit and our community.
CONTACT - Holly Arntzen 778 879-9382 artistresponseteam@telus.net
"Through music, storytelling, and interactive participation, they encouraged our youth to explore how music affects the mind and body. They helped participants recognize music as a powerful coping tool one that can support emotional regulation, self-expression, grounding, and connection. The workshop was thoughtfully structured to invite curiosity and reflection, while remaining accessible and inclusive to all comfort levels."
Katrina Ovens, Land- Based Recreation Lead
Pacific Community Resources Society
"This project proved to be one of the most beautiful examples of authentic cross-curricular learning at our school. Students embraced the opportunities to learn in an authentic way, and in particular, built deep and sustaining relationships to language, the land and community. It served as an example of what reconciliation could look like from a practical, relational level- they truly internalized the learning and emerged as allies and contributors, with a commitment to be future stewards of nature. They didn’t just learn things, they felt things. They also felt empowered to share this work with their school community and beyond; their learning reached far beyond the walls of our school."
Brooke Haller, Principal, Imagine High, Chilliwack, BC
"This time last year, in my role as an Indigenous Health Liaison at Fraser Health, I had the privilege of hosting the Good Medicine Songs, which provided healing through music and storytelling. My clients at that time were individuals who struggled with substance use and self-identified. I wanted to share that I was able to speak with one of them a few months ago. She is now sober and is in an outreach support position, giving back to the community. She shared how thankful she was for that day. "
Calista Thirsk, Former Indigenous Health Liason
Fraser Health Authority
"On behalf of the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), I express sincere gratitude for the meaningful partnership that has flourished between Good Medicine Songs (GMS) and the university over the past two years. Your unwavering commitment to reconciliation, particularly through the revitalization of the Halq'eméylem language through song, serves as an inspiration. UFV takes great pride in our collaboration with GMS, and we eagerly anticipate further strengthening this connection in the years to come."
Dr. James Mandigo, President and Vice Chancellor
University of the Fraser Valley