Semoya Dancers: Home

The Semoya Dancers represent the pride and strength of Stó:lō culture and traditions. Grand Chief Steven Point and Gwen Point founded one of the first public dance groups called the Spindle Whorl Dancers. The Semoya Dancers, founded by Darwin and Francine Douglas, are the second generation of dancers now continuing this tradition. 

The dancers come from families with a strong connection to S’o:lh Téméxw—Our Land; Our World—and are able to share our Sxwōxwiyám and Sqwélqwel. Our Sxwōxwiyám, the time and the stories of Xexá:ls, the Transformers, and our Sqwélqwel, our true news and family histories, tell us about the origins of our Sxwó:yxwey masked dance and the Smílha spirit power dance. Despite epidemic diseases, the government’s assimilation policies, the anti-potlatch law (1884-1951) and the
residential school system (1884-1996), that forbade practicing Stó:lō culture, our most sacred dances still flourish among our people. These two sacred ceremonial dances are protected by strong protocols and laws that disallow photography and video or audio recording. 

The Semoya Dancers, like the Spindle Whorl Dancers before them, incorporate several special and heavily protected aspects, including their Lewómet, dancing regalia that has stl’íitl’ets, the small paddles on their shirts, and the use of the temelh, the red paint on their faces. Witnessing these traditional dances allows everyone the opportunity to experience Stó:lō dancing and culture.