Long before Canada was formed, the Stó:lō (People of the River) lived and thrived on the land on which UFV is located. UFV gratefully recognizes and honours the contributions that Indigenous people have made — and continue to make — to our community.
St’elt’elawtexw | Community
Engaging Learners
Yoystexw Ye Totilthet
Transforming Lives
Ayeqet Kw’e Shxwaylexws
Building Community
Thayt Kw’e St’elt’elawtexw
Welcome to St’elt’elawtexw
The language spoken by the Stó:lō people is Halq’eméylem, the “Upriver dialect” of Halkomelem. Halq’eméylem is primarily spoken in the upper and central Fraser Valley, the Lower Fraser Canyon, and in communities near Harrison Lake. St’elt’elawtexw means “community” in Halq’eméylem.
At UFV, St’elt’elawtexw is woven into our fabric, and we are grateful for the connections we have with the individuals and organizations who contribute to our collective impact.
Watch the video to learn the proper pronunciation of St’elt’elawtexw.
"As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2024, we honour the past, celebrate our present, and co-create our future, centering the vibrant community that is at the heart of UFV.”
Susan Mide Kiss | Vice-President, Community Engagement
Community Report Launch | September 12-14, 2023
Catch the highlights of the St’elt’elawtexw Community Celebration at Abbotsford EcoFarm and the Chilliwack and Abbotsford Campus Launch Experiences.
These events were nothing short of remarkable, featuring interactive showcases and inspiring speakers who shared the unique stories that define UFV's special relationship and deep connection with the Fraser Valley communities we serve.
View more St'elt'elawtexw pictures on FlickR
Spotlight
Featured community stories
Stories from the community
UFV celebrates community connections at St’elt’elawtexw: Celebration of Community
The University of the Fraser Valley celebrated its connection to community on September 14 with a special event at Abbotsford’s EcoFarm that welcomed more than 250 friends and partners of the university. Showcasing community-engaged UFV initiatives and partnerships, St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebrat ...
Judith Soon awarded honorary degree for promoting science education and changes in geriatric systems
Sometimes it takes one defining moment to change life’s trajectory. For Dr. Judith Soon, it was in Grade 12 when she and four other classmates toured the inner workings of a pharmacy building. From this experience, Soon knew she wanted to pursue a career in pharmacy and so far, it has been extre ...
Students benefit from resounding success of UFV Giving Day 2023
UFV Giving Day was a resounding success. Held Tuesday, April 4, UFV Giving Day welcomed $69,150 in generous gifts, celebrating the power of collective giving, and enriching the lives of students in the Fraser Valley and beyond. Donors were able to support one or more of their preferred causes: Stude ...
Engage with UFV
Get involved
Whether you are a student, an alum, a staff, a faculty member, an organization or group in the Fraser Valley community, or someone eager to make a positive impact, there are countless ways for you to get involved.
Join our mailing list
Be the first to learn about community engagement opportunities and receive updates on new and current partnerships, events, and news.
Submit a story or event
Share your Fraser Valley-UFV community initiatives. Submissions will be considered for the UFV blog and might be featured on the St’elt’elawtexw | Community website.
Contact us
We would love to hear from you. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions, comments, or wish to explore partnership opportunities.