Naxaxalhts’i “Sonny” McHalsie gives place names tour (2016)
Sxwōxwiyám are oral histories or origin stories of the Stó:lō people. Sxwōxwiyám are the basis for understanding why things are the way that they are. These stories are taught and passed down generation after generation. The Chíchelh Sí:yam, Great Spirit, is the creator of both earth and humankind. The Chíchelh Sí:yam sent Xá:ls (pronounced Haals) to earth to make things right. Xá:ls is a Transformer and is able to take many different forms. Often he would take the shape of a bear, and would be accompanied by his brothers and sisters. Collectively they are referred to as Xexá:ls. Stó:lō Elders refer to Xá:ls in English as Transformer, Magician, Changer, Son of the Great Spirit, Holy One, Young Bear and even Little Christ.
When Xá:ls came to the earth things were different. The earth was in turmoil and full of monsters. Xá:ls performed many deeds during his time in Stó:lō territory. He taught people how to fish, how to hunt, how to use the cedar tree and how to weave. The basis of Stó:lō culture and practices were taught by Xá:ls during his stay. Xá:ls could also exude great power. On many occasions Xá:ls turned people into stone in order to teach lasting lessons. These stones are called Transformer Stones, each with their own individual Sxwōxwiyám describing why and how they were formed. According to the Sxwōxwiyám this is how the stone at Xá:ytem was formed.
At Xá:ytem Xá:ls left one of his greatest gifts, the knowledge of how to read and write the Halq’eméylem language. Xá:ls taught three Sí:yam this gift with the intention that these leaders would pass these teachings on to the Stó:lō people. The Sí:yam did not oblige his request and Xá:ls turned them to stone.
He remembered that this was the place where he had left one of his greatest teachings, reading and writing. The three Sí:ya:m saw the man coming, but they did not know who he was. Xá:ls decided to check on the three Sí:yam. He watched the people, who were all hunting, fishing and using the cedar tree, but none were reading or writing. He, therefore, asked questions of the Sí:yam, who chose to ignore them. Finally, he asked the Sí:yam whether they had taught the people to read and write. Afraid, the three backed away. Xá:ls grabbed all three and picked them up. The first started to sing a song. The second started to cry. The third tried to teach the people very fast. Xa:ls then threw them into a pile and transformed them into a stone, this stone.
– Draft Statement of Commemorative Integrity for Xá:ytem National Historic Site