Yee’ Yutul is the Hul’qumi’num phrase meaning “become friends”. It is also the name for a festival which will be held in Chemainus from Feb. 5-12.
Organizer Anne Crocker said it will be “a celebration of Coast Salish arts and culture” with funding available for artists, cooks and other cultural participants chosen to be part of the celebration.
The Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society (CVCAS) is the official host of the event, but Crocker said that people from the nearby nations of Stz’uminus, Lyackson, Penelakut and Halalt will be both the organizers and main participants.
CVCAS chair Kathy Wachs announced almost $10,000 in funding was received for the festival.
The festival will also provide a first-ever opportunity for residents of the Chemainus area to meet, interact with, learn from, and create art with a wide variety of Coast Salish artists.