Honouring Indigenous Youth and Community: The Power of Working Together

On June 4, more than 60 scholarship recipients, donors, community members, and partners gathered at Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh School for a special honouring event celebrating Indigenous youth and the community that stands behind them.

Hosted by Kw’umut Lelum Foundation, the gathering was grounded in ceremony as an opportunity to recognize the relationships, generosity, and shared commitment that help Indigenous youth pursue their educational goals while remaining rooted in culture, community, and Coast Salish values.

At the heart of the event was the concept of tsetsuwatil—a Hul'q'umi'num word meaning “working together for a collective purpose.” Scholarship recipients and donors were honoured together, reflecting an Indigenous-led approach to philanthropy that recognizes that success is never achieved alone. Every scholarship represents not only the hard work and determination of a student, but also the collective support of families, communities, and donors who believe in their potential.

“Today we want to hold all of you up and thank you for your faith in what we are doing, and in how we are working collectively to empower Indigenous youth and communities to thrive,” said Sharon Hobenshield, Executive Director of Kw’umut Lelum Foundation.

The event opened with greetings to the Snuneymuxw territory by Bill Yoachim, and was followed with a song and prayer by Sophia Good. The Qwam Qwum dancers welcomed participants into a powerful afternoon of celebration and reflection with their songs and dances, leading scholarship recipients and members of the Foundation’s tsetsuwatil donor community to be honoured through a blanketing ceremony, recognizing their contributions and the important roles they play in strengthening Indigenous communities.

Following Coast Salish protocol, witnesses were invited to share their observations and reflections.

“What I saw in all of the people here today was huge strength, pride, and a wonderful feeling of inclusiveness and perseverance,” shared witness and donor Sheila Cooper.

For scholarship recipient Regina Charlie, the gathering was a reminder that educational achievement is deeply connected to community support and cultural identity.

“It truly means a lot that there are people and organizations who believe in us and want us to succeed,” she said. “My hope now is to inspire youth in my community so that they know they belong in these educational spaces and that their voices matter. What I know is that success isn’t just about academic achievement—it’s about staying connected to our culture, our community, and our values.”

Throughout the afternoon, speakers reflected on the importance of lifting one another up.

“You grow and learn together to create a foundation for children to thrive, but along with that we build a community—one that our partners and donors are a part of,” said Chief John Elliott of Stz’uminus First Nation.

Kw’umut Lelum Foundation Board Member Louise Mandell spoke about the ripple effect created when communities invest in young people.

“We gathered today to honour those who have achieved extraordinary things, but also to acknowledge that none of us can do this alone,” she said. “We uplift those here today who have put their hands on these students’ backs—to empower and support them. What is beautiful about this is that it will come full circle, as these students will one day put their hands on the backs of others.”

The event concluded with a traditional feast shared by all attendees—a reflection of the Foundation’s commitment to building relationships and strengthening community.

As Kw’umut Lelum Foundation celebrates five years of serving nine Coast Salish Nations, gatherings like this remind us what is possible when we work together. Through the generosity of our tsetsuwatil community and the determination of Indigenous youth, we continue to create pathways to education, wellness, culture, and opportunity for generations to come.

Huy tseep q’u to everyone who joined us, supported our students, and continues to walk alongside us on this journey.