A community partnership has led to the creation of two new features to enjoy at Peach Park along the Vedder River in Chilliwack.
The Good Neighbours Lhewá:mel Project was led by Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe and in partnership with Tourism Ch’illiwack, the City of Chilliwack and Stó:lō Service Agency.
A press release from Tourism Ch'illiwack says the project "marks a significant milestone in community-led reconciliation with the unveiling of two meaningful initiatives at Peach Park: the Gathering Place and the Welcome Portal."
They said the spaces are "designed to honour Indigenous knowledge, encourage shared stewardship, and create a welcoming environment where all community members can connect with the land and each other."
The release explains that the "Good Neighbours Lhewá:mel Project is guided by Indigenous ways of knowing, emphasizing the personhood of non-human beings and the responsibility to care for the land as a living entity. Through interactive storytelling, immersive design, and a commitment to long-term stewardship, the project reinforces a collective duty to protect and celebrate S’ólh Téméxw (our sacred land)."
Peach Park is located at the end of Peach Road, at the Vedder River. The installations have been under construction for the past few months.
“Rooted in the Sí:yá:ya Yóyes (Friends Working Together) Plan by Tourism Ch’illiwack, this initiative is a tangible step toward building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities," said Brian Minter, chair of Tourism Ch’illiwack. "The Gathering Place offers a space for learning, storytelling, and cultural exchange, while the Welcome Portal serves as an invitation to appreciate the land’s history and significance."
"This is a shared home, not just a public space," says Chief David Jimmie, Chief and CEO of Squiala First Nation, President of the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council and president of Ts’elxweyéqw Tribe Management Limited. "By bringing Indigenous values and perspectives into the heart of our community, we are building something long-lasting—an opportunity to learn, reflect, and move forward together in a good way."
He added that "reconciliation is about action, not just words. The Welcome Portal and Gathering Place embody this commitment, ensuring that Indigenous perspectives are not only acknowledged but embedded into how we care for this land. This is just the beginning of a long-term vision for shared responsibility."
Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove also spoke about the significance of the new project.
“The City of Chilliwack was honoured to be part of the Good Neighbours project,” said Mayor Popove. “Relationship building is an integral part of the work we do, and this project was an opportunity to continue to build relationships, while honouring Indigenous knowledge and values.”
Tourism Ch'illiwack said the realization of these spaces was made possible through the thoughtful contributions of Partners and Hawes, Urban Arts Architecture, and MacQueen Systems.
"Their dedication to meaningful design and collaborative spirit ensured that the physical environment reflects the values, stories, and purpose at the heart of the project," the press release stated.
“We were honoured to take part in the Good Neighbours Lhewá:mel Project as the general contractor and builder,” said Craig MacQueen, owner of MacQueen Systems Inc. “Our Indigenous tradespeople and management team, who are an integral part of our company, led the construction and coordination of this project. It was important to us that Indigenous knowledge, values, and cultural integrity were reflected not only in the vision but in the build itself. This project is a meaningful example of what collaboration and reconciliation in action can look like, and we’re proud to have contributed to a space that will serve the community for generations."
