More than 150 students from three Abbotsford elementary schools recently came together for the Xa Xa Témexw Swáyel / Sacred Earth Day concert, an Earth Day-inspired celebration of environmental stewardship, Stó:lō culture, and community connection centred around the message that “every day is Earth Day.”

Led by the Artist Response Team (ART) and Ey Stélmexw St’elt’ílem / Good Medicine Songs, in partnership with the City of Abbotsford’s Culture City Program Series and with support from Tire Stewardship BC (TSBC) and Interchange Recycling, the event brought together students from Barrowtown Elementary, Ten-Broeck Elementary, and Dormick Park elementary schools. Approximately 250 people attended the concert, which featured a student choir performing alongside Good Medicine Songs and The Wilds Band.

Bilingual Songs Connect Students to Stó:lō Language and Culture

The concert featured bilingual songs in English and Halq’eméylem, the upriver dialect of the Stó:lō First Nations. Through music and storytelling, students explored the connections between language, culture, and caring for the land.

This performance was the result of a months-long classroom learning experience led by ART and Good Medicine Songs. Throughout the project, students learned songs inspired by Stó:lō teachings while building their understanding of Halq’eméylem pronunciation, Indigenous history, and the importance of protecting the environment.

Related: CBC News: Over 300 Abbotsford students celebrate Stó:lō culture with performance of bilingual songs

Students engaged in learning through songs and spoken word, and the concert gave families, educators, and community members a chance to learn alongside them.

Learning About Recycling and Environmental Stewardship

For TSBC, supporting learning experiences like this is an important part of advancing environmental awareness across BC. Community-based programs that connect recycling education with culture, creativity, and storytelling help young people better understand their role in protecting the environment.

Beyond the music, students explored how everyday actions can make a meaningful difference. Through the program, they learned about stewardship, reconciliation, culture, language, and community, while also gaining insight into how recycling and waste reduction help protect land and waterways and support a circular economy.

Related: Concert in Mission Unites Indigenous Culture, Student Performers, and Environmental Stewardship

The songs and activities encouraged students to reflect on their ecological footprint and the ways small, everyday choices can contribute to healthier communities. By combining Indigenous teachings with environmental education, the initiative made sustainability concepts easy to understand and engaging for young learners.

Supporting Environmental Education Through Community Partnerships

The Xa Xa Témexw Swáyel / Sacred Earth Day concert is part of an ongoing partnership between TSBC and ART, which brings together environmental education, Indigenous culture, and community engagement. Through music, recycling initiatives, and hands-on learning experiences, these programs create meaningful opportunities for students to explore sustainability in creative and memorable ways. By strengthening connections between culture and collective environmental action, we hope this collaboration will help to inspire students and communities across the province to become active environmental stewards.

We are grateful to ART, Good Medicine Songs, the participating schools, educators, community partners, students, and families who made this Earth Day-inspired celebration possible. Together, we are helping turn awareness into action while ensuring that caring for our land remains a shared priority for generations to come.