Xwelíqwiya
Xwelíqwiya
The Life of a Stó:lo Matriarch
Comprising a series of conversational recollections, this booktells the story of Rena Point Bolton, a Stó:lo matriarch andcraftswoman. The narrative touches on Point Bolton's childhood bythe Fraser River during the Depression, her ancestor, the warriorXéyteleq, and her later years on a reserve. While the Stó:lo peoplekept secret their cultural practices to avoid persecution bypaternalistic institutions, Point Bolton helped to revive some of theold crafts and ceremonies. The result of a long-term collaborationbetween Richard Daly and Point Bolton, this book attests to PointBolton’s desire to inspire her people to blend traditional“ways of knowing” with the pursuit of modern education.
Rena Point Bolton is a Xwélmexw artist and weaverwho lives in northern British Columbia.
Richard Daly is a social anthropologist,translator, editor, and Aboriginal rights consultant. Originally from afishing and forestry community on the Pacific Coast, Daly now residesin Norway near Oslo.
List of Illustrations – vii
Foreword - ix
Acknowledgements – xi
Map of Northern British Columbia – xiv
Map of Xwélmexw (Stó:lo) territory and surrounding Coast Salishareas – xv
Introduction (Richard Daly) – xvii
1. Born at a Very Young Age – 3
2. Xéyteleq – 25
3. Devil’s Run – 51
4. School, Work, and Marriage – 69
5. Life of the Spirit – 103
6. Breaking the Silence – 133
7. Moving North – 165
8. They Begin to Listen – 199
9. Life Cycles – 217
Epilogue – 227
Family Trees – 231
Pronunciation Guide – 239
Glossary – 243
Works Cited – 247
Index – 253