Chief William K’hhalseten ‘Billy’ Sepass
Courtesy of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives. A.C Well’s a charcoal sketch of Chief Sepass.
William K’hhalseten ‘Billy’ Sepass, a Stó:lō hereditary Siyam, lived nearly a century in so’lh temexw. From the late-eighteenth century to present, he became a reminder for Sto:lo people to “live in a good way” as he was representative on behalf of Stó:lō peoples for sixty-five years. The early nineteenth century saw Stó:lō leaders, including, Chief Harry Stewart and Chief Louie. Chief Sepass spoke English, Halq’emeylem and Thompson languages which were vital to his leadership, and the longevity of his role.
Sepass born in 1845, to mother and father of Stó:lō descent. As it was, among the Stó:lō community, there are discrepancies on his origins, with claims which suggest come from outside the Stó:lō territory. Sepass always proudly claimed, “I am tcil’qE’uk” and he saw early missionaries arrive in the River Valley. Sepass was raised under Stó:lō customs, but as far is known, he converted to the Methodist faith later in his life. He was raised by his uncle, Chief Khal-agh-thit-til, where learned the Stó:lō history, including becoming an orator. After the passing of his uncle, he gained a leadership role. Later in his life, he was a husband and father. Between his first wife, Rose and second wife, Elizabeth Forester, Sepass had twenty-one children. Like many Stó:lō people in the River Valley, K’hhalseten faced the loss of his family, as sixteen of his twenty-one children died from various causes, some include diseases of smallpox and tuberculous. In his last years, he could be seen advocating for Stó:lō culture, notably he expressed the Stó:lō grievance to the Royal Commissioners in 1915. And in raising concern on the influence of white settler on the upcoming generations, at Sardis public schools in 1939. Sepass died in 1943, at the age of 98, at his home in Skowkale, Sardis, Chilliwack, British Columbia.
References
Freedman, Robert. The Chilliwack Progress. July 19, 2005.
https://theprogress.newspapers.com/image/81409116/?terms=chief%2Bsepass
Sepass William K’HHalserten, Lynne Grillmair, and Sophia Jane White. 2009. Sepass Poems : Ancient Songs of Y-Ail-Mihth. Commemorative ed. Longhouse Publishing
Wells Oliver, Brent Douglas Galloway, Ralph Maud, and Marie Weeden. 1987. The Chilliwacks and Their Neighbors. [Electronic Resource]. DesLibris: Books Collection. Talon Books.
Media Sources
Courtesy of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives. A copy gift to Sepass family.