Culinary delights, culture and community were celebrated at an intimate event at the University of the Fraser Valley Chilliwack campus Sept. 26.
The second annual St’elt’elawtexw: a Celebration of Community, brought together members of the university community and guests from throughout the Fraser Valley.
Chilliwack's Raylene Mumford was presented with the Betty Urquhart Award, for her work as founder and director of Free Store Chilliwack. The initiative started four years ago and now serves 3,600 families, feeding nearly 400 every week through the coordination of volunteers preparing about 60 hampers.
Other award recipients of the evening were Adam Currie for this year's Distinguished Alumni Award, Keenan Beavis for the Young Distinguished Alumni Award, and Jada McIntrye for the Outstanding Student Leader Award.
The event was held outdoors at the Agriculture Centre of Excellence, at the Canada Education Park, and is part of a year of celebrations as the university celebrates its 50th anniversary.
UFV alumni Jasmin Kaur read a selection of her poems, and Waris Punjab performed bangra dancing on stage as part of the program. Dr. Naxaxalhts’i (Sonny) McHalsie, the school's cultural advisor/Sxweyxwiyam (historian), and Stó:lō Nation Adjunct Professor, delighted the audience with a rapid-fire version of local Stó:lō storytelling.
A number of announcements were also made, including new and increased financial commitments to the school from Auguston Town Developments, Coast Capital and Prospera Foundation.
While it poured throughout the outdoor event, guests mingled under tents and umbrellas into evening.
