Cultus Lake Swílhcha School welcomes hand-crafted gift from community member

CHILLIWACK — Cultus Lake Swílhcha Community School celebrated this past week as Kwalhxameleq (Bill Davis) put the final touches on a house post that was gifted to the school by his family in January.

The hand-crafted artisan carving will be a welcome presence at the school, located on Sunnyside Boulevard in the quaint lakeside community.

According to a news release from SD33, the Charlie-Davis family’s four children attend the community school nestled in Cultus Lake. Kwalhxameleq said the family saw significant growth once their kids began participating in the school.

“After our two children started attending this school, we noticed a significant leap in their growth. The care and attention they receive here complement the efforts we put in at home,” said Kwalhxameleq. “To acknowledge the hard work, care, and dedication to not just our kids but all students, I felt compelled to carve this humble welcome figure house post. The orange shirt acknowledges the losses and the survival of the residential schools. The two different-shaped hands show that our children with special needs might appear different, but they’re still the same. They need the same love and attention as any undiagnosed child.”