Language

Nsyilxcen (the Okanagan language)

It seems the future of Nsyilxcen (the Okanagan language) appears to be in danger of becoming extinct. Nsyilxcen is the key factor distinguishing the Syilx from other aboriginal peoples, and gives them a "National" character. Nsyilxcen is a common language that is spoken in all the districts of the Syilx Peoples territory commonly known as the Okanagan territory. It is a Salish language which is distinct from that of our Salsish neighbors, like the Spokan, the Nlkamux, the Shuswap and so on. . The Syilx speaking people's lands lie on both sides of the Okanagan River, east to the Selkirk range, west to the Cascades summit, south into Washington bounded by the Columbia River and Lake Chelan and north up to Salmon River.

It has been suggested that these are the large geographically recognized divisions within the Nsyilcen speaking Nation know as Syilx:

1. Northern Okanagan (or suknaqinx) North from Douglas Lake and Quilchena over to Falkland Salmon Rive, around the upper Okanagan Lake to Lumby and down the Okanagan Lake and River drainage system to Oroville.

2. Similkameen/Methow or Smelqmix, along the Tulameen, Princeton, Similkameen River drainage System and south to the Methow drainage system.

3. Southern Okanagan or Senq'a?itkw, along the lower Okanagan River drainage system.

4. Sanpoil-Nespelem or Senp?wilx, Sanpoil territory traditionally extended along both sides of the Columbia River from Grande Coulee to Rogers Bar and included the Sanpoil River drainage system upriver to Republic. The Nespelem formerly occupied both sides of the Columbia from Grand Coulee to an area just east of Brewster.

5. Colville/Kettle or Senxwya?tpitx, north from Rogers Bar.and along both sides of the Columbia River from near Kettle Falls north following the Kettle River and surrounding areas of Christina Lake, Greenwood, Midway north to Rock Creek and following the east and west forks of the Kettle River to the Monashee range.

6. Arrow Lakes or S?altikwet, fom Revelstoke south including both Upper and Lower Arrow Lakes, including the Granby, and Casltegar south to Kettle Falls.

7. Slocan or Senickstxformerly from the Slocan lake bounding the south western shores of Kootenay Lake including Nelson south to the Colville Valley as far southeast as the area between Addy and Chewelah.

Some terminology for kinship reference is different for female and male speakers, as an example the words 'mother' or 'father'. A daughter would call her father 'mistim' but a son calls his father 'liew'. Males and females reconized social relations in different ways, as reflected in the use of kinship and sibling terms, (brothers and sisters) indicate at which age (younger, older...) and where you are in relation to them.

Almost two hundred years ago since Europeans established permanent settlements in this part of North America, they imposed various ways of culture change including religion and education tools. It impacted all cultural norms, including language. The "civilizing" invaders felt that the best chance for the survival of the Native people was by their complete adaptation to the European way. This syndrome extended to the language. In schools and residential schools, the Native pupils were severely punished for speaking their own languages and forced to speak English. Nsyilxcen language loss has been severe.

Nsyilxcen curriculum development programs and strategies are numerous within band schools in the Okanagan territory. In addition, many fluent speakers have gone on to become language teachers as a part of the elementary, middle/ high school and college programs and activities. Community based Nsyilxcen projects have been tested and created by instructors and students alike. Nsyilxcen speakers have opportunities to become enrolled in Nsyilxcen instruction training classes.

There are numerous Nsyilxcen Immersion learning methods which have been proven successful and gives the student learner the practice of hearing and speaking the Nsyilxcen full time. No English or other language is spoken, the use of gestures, pictures and objects is used to get ones point across. There is also a method called Total Physical Response (TPR) which is proven successful to all ages of learners. With many Syilx going onto to further their education there is always a new and innovative way to aid in the restoration of our Nsyilxcen language. Whether we're taking Nsyilxcen classes, web design, filmmaking, teachers certification, theatre...our people our finding new ways to introduce the language into their classes and projects. Nsyilxcen language (and other cultural activities) has become a part of many of the younger students/ generations goals and reasons for attaining the education they are striving for. So they can learn to use the tools to create programs/ projects which will aid in the instruction of the Nsyilxcen language on a broader level.

Important work is being done to revitalize the Nsyilxcen language, this is evident in such Institutions such as the En'owkin Centre in Penticton B.C. which target adult learners, and Sensisyusten Elementary in Westbank, Sen-Pok-Chin in Oliver, BC and Snc'c'amala?tn in Vernon BC (to name a few of the Syilx band schools). Books, Audio tapes and CD's with lesson plans have been developed for schools and families to learn from at home. Web sites, videos, documentaries, computer programs and online classrooms make it possible for everyone to access Nsyilxcen curriculum. Okanagan artists have added language to their performances, songs, paintings, sculptures and every other creative medium. While Nsyilxcen is in danger of becoming extinct, it is also making its way back into the hearts, minds and lives of the Syilx.