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"As a traditionally oral society, the language holds our laws, philosophy of life, our world-view, and how the Okanagan- Syilx managed to thrive for 10,000 years on these lands before the new settler societies came here...
Have fun trying to say our words, then find a way to hear the correct version… pay attention to nsyilxcən words, even if you are unable to say them. Don't worry if the words are hard to say and read. Be patient with yourself."
Eric Mitchell in m̀ym̀aytwixʷmntm iʔ sqilxʷtət - Stories of Our sqilxʷ Ways: 2016
syilx Okanagan Language Declaration
syilx Okanagan Language Declaration
The Okanagan-Syilx language is on the endangered list with the possibility of becoming extinct in the next two generations.
In finding ways and means to save the language and have younger speakers, the Okanagan-Syilx peoples have created an Okanagan Phonetic Alphabet that linguists are schooled in.
Eric Mitchell in m̀ym̀aytwixʷmntm iʔ sqilxʷtət - Stories of Our sqilxʷ Ways: 2016
"...greater access to Indigenous knowledge systems would expand the dialogue toward changes in perspectives and values related to the environment, to initiatives related to climate change, as well as to other discussions on the social dimension of human caused stresses to the environment."
Dr Jeannette Armstrong Ph.D Dissertation Constructing Indigeneity: Syilx Okanagan Oraliture and tmixʷcentrism.
"My voice, my language goes right across this country like the breeze." ~Elder Joey Pierre
Syilx-Okanagan-Language-Declaration.pdfOngoing Language Lessons with Jasmine Peone
Ongoing Language Lessons with Jasmine Peone
We are so thankful that Jasmine Peone and Elder Pamela Barnes are gifting us with a series of nsyilxcən lessons.
Below you will find a slide deck that includes the nsyilxcən words we are learning together.
We will continue to add to this slide deck after each lesson.
Click here to make a copy and edit this slide deck.
Michelle Joe's nsyilxcən Language Cards
Michelle Joe's nsyilxcən Language Cards
Participants in our nsyilxcən language lesson sessions will receive a set of nsyilxcən cards that have been created by Michelle Joe, Cultural Family Program Coordinator, WFN.
Thank you so much to SSHRC and Terry Beaudry for financing the lessons and the cards.
We are grateful for this support as we continue to explore how learning nsyilxcən will help us to better understand syilx ways of knowing and being.
Please see the videos below which will teach you and your students how to say all of the words on the langauge cards.
Videos that teach you how to say each word on the cards in nsyilxcən
Videos that teach you how to say each word on the cards in nsyilxcən
Family Terms
Traditional Foods
Animals
Feelings & Actions
First Voices
First Voices
The First Voices syilx website is a wonderful online space for Indigenous communities to share and promote language, oral culture and linguistic history. Language teams work with elders to curate and upload audio recordings, dictionaries, songs and stories. This content is shared with community members or the broader public.
You will notice that the nsyilxcən alphabet below has 'play' buttons that allow you to hear words with the sounds from the alphabet. Also see this video which teaches the pronunciation of each nsyilxcən letter.
If you want to search words to discover how they are pronounced, put the word in the search box.
If you would like to install an nsyilxcən keyboard to your PC, we have discovered that the second link will work best. firstvoices-9.0.0-Nsilxcen.exe - PC Keyman Installer Created by FirstVoices - PC Version 9.0.0 (Windows)
More Resources to Support Your Learning
More Resources to Support Your Learning
If you are still curious and want to learn more about the nsyilxcən language, take some time to explore the resources below.
Books We Love
Books We Love
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Braiding Sweetgrass: Young Readers Edition by Robin Wall Kimmerer
m̀ym̀aytwixʷmntm iʔ sqilxʷtət - Stories of Our sqilxʷ Ways: 2016 by Bill Cohen & Natalie Chambers
Stimtema: 13 Grandmother Moons by Cori Derickson and Jason Eaglespeaker
See this link for selected excerpts on the gifts of language learning from the books above. These were shared at our first language learning session.
To purchase the book ' m̀ym̀aytwixʷmntm iʔ sqilxʷtət - Stories of Our sqilxʷ Ways: 2016 by Bill Cohen & Natalie Chambers and the Teacher Guide ($40 for the set), email reanna.lamb@sd23.bc.ca with your school name, your school purchase account code, and the number of copies you would like to order. To see a teaser of this book, click here, and to see a supplementary slide deck to use with the book, click here.
Websites
Websites
Also check out this article about the first of 12 nsyilxcən language signs at BGC locations unveiled in kiʔláwnaʔ
Also check out this article about the first of 12 nsyilxcən language signs at BGC locations unveiled in kiʔláwnaʔ
You will definitely want to check out this website which highlights syilx Okanagan Partnerships.
Working with a syilx apprentice knowledge keeper, Krystal Withakay, Parks Services produced the brochure, Central Okanagan: Guide to Common Plants and Animals (suqinaq̓inxʷ tmxʷulaxʷ : tmíxʷ uł yayat əts p̓lal), in English and nsyilxcən (where possible).
On this site you will find a language key which provides audio clips to help with pronunciation on common plants and animals in the Central Okanagan.
You can also get a copy of the dual language brochure for free at the Regional District of Central Okanagan, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC, V1W 3Z4. Phone: 250-763-4918. Email here.
Dual Language Guide to Local Plants and Animals
Also see:
Also see:
Syilx Language House website
Language Learning Films
Interior Salish Nsəlxcin Curriculum Project
Local Language slide deck
Learn some nsyilxcən greetings with the Okanagan Indian Band here
TA’TUPA – SPIRIT BEAR MOON CALENDAR: Find a printable copy here
nsyilxcən books and materials from the Paul Creek Language Association
Upcoming Session Dates
Upcoming Session Dates
Our sessions will take place at Hollywood Road Education Center in Room 1 (The Gym)
Sessions will always be on Thursdays
from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Learning on the Land
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Learning with Jasmine
Please note: You did need to preregister for these sessions.
Thursday, November 10th (HRES)
Thursday, December 8th (HRES)
Thursday, January 19th (NGE)
Thursday, February 9th
Thursday, March 9th
Thursday, April 13th
Thursday, May 25th
Thursday, June 8th
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