Secwépemc Language Initiatives

1894
Text
Prayers in Shushwap

Le Jeune, J. M. R. (Jean Marie Raphaël), "Prayers in Shushwap" https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcbooks/items/1.0222262

1925
Text
Studies in Shushwap

Le Jeune, J. M. R. 32 pages. A brief introduction to the Shuswap language (one of the "Salish" family), teaching by phonetics and shorthand, with the definition.

1973
Organization
Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn

Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Splatsin Teaching Centre) Society since opening makes sure all curriculum implements Secwepemc Language & Culture https://www.splatsin.org/

1974
Text
English-Shuswap Dictionary

Shuswap-English Dictionary was published, compiled by linguist Aert Kuipers with assistance by Secwépemc speakers (names?)

1977
Policy
BC Language Policy

BC Language Policy must offer a second language in Grades 5 to 8 to all students. Indigenous language courses should be developed appropriate to second language learners

1979
Text
Learning Shuswap Book 1

Learning Shuswap Book One by Vickie Jensen and Jay Powell was published by the Shuswap Language Committee (Northern Secwepemc). Audio recording by Phyllis Chelsea of Alkali Lake BC. The book consists of the alphabet, and introductory level teaching of Secwepemctsin.

1979
Text
Let's Study Shuswap Book 1 & 2

Published by the Shuswap Language Committee, Vickie Jensen, J.V. Powell, Celina Harry "Let's Study Shuswap Book 1" and Vickie Jensen, J.V. Powell, Celina Harry "Let's Study Shuswap Book 2

1980
Organization
Shihiya School Opens

Shihiya School in Splatsin opens with Secwepemc language & culture incorporated into their teachings.

1982
Governance
Secwepemc Declaration Signed

Secwepemc Declaration signed by all 17 Secwépemc Chiefs to work in unity on Secwepemc language, history and culture

1983
Organization
Secwepemc Cultural Education Society Opens

Secwepemc Cultural Education Society (SCES) established to preserve and promote Secwépemc language, culture and history.

1987
Organization
Secwepemc-Ka Language Nest

Secwépemc-Ka Language Nest, early childhood immersion opens on Adams Lake Band reserve in Chase.

1988
Organization
SFU campus opens in Tk̓elúps

SCES partnered with Simon Fraser University to offer history, language and archeology courses at Tk̓elups campus.

1991
Organization
Chief Atahm School opens

Tselcéwtqen Clleq̓mél̓tn opens in Sexqeltqin, Adams Lake Band near Chase, BC.

1990
Organization
First Peoples Cultural Council

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) is a provincial Crown Corporation formed by the government of British Columbia in 1990 to administer the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Program.

1996
Text
Secwépemc Language Curriculum SD 73

Sept 1996 Secwepemc Language Package K-3 and Grade 11/12.  Secwepemc Language Curriculum Committee. SCES 

1999
Text
Re Splatsínac re Cqweqwlútns

"Re Splatsínac re Cqweqwlútns" adapted to Splatsin Eastern dialect by Cindy Williams Nov. 15, 1999 from Aert Kuipers Thompson Classified Word List, 1975

2003
Organization
First Voices

First People's Heritage, Language and Culture Council (FPHLCC) launches First Voices, a technology platform for Indigenous languages, with 15 First Nations languages from BC. Three Secwépemc dialects have First Voices dictionaries: Western (SCES); Eastern - Chase area (Chief Atahm School); and Splatsinec (Tsm7aksaltn)

2006
text
The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian History

The Kinbasket Migration and Other Indian History (book), Author: Shelagh Palmer Kinbasket Dehart

2007
Organization
Spi7uy Sququlut.s Language & Culture Society

The SSLCS was established in 2007and began to design the framework which would allow the implementation of the goal as outlined in the Secwépemc Declaration. 

2007
Activist
Joe Stanley Michel Aboriginal Achievement

Joe Stanley Michel, Cstélen, Secwepemcúl̓ecw wins a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in education for his work as a cultural savior and language activist who retired from education but continued to educate. He mentored students and teachers throughout BC and contributed to Secwepemc language curriculum and archiving stories and history.

Michel contends that Aboriginal control of education is important because the strength of Native people is in the language and traditional values. “We have to relearn how to learn,” he says.

2009
Project
Stsememelt Project - SNTC

Stsmemelt Project through Shuswap Nation Tribal Council develops a word list based on Secwepemc language with respect to our children and traditional parenting practices.

2014
Media
"Tuwitames" Augmented Reality Book

The Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn and David Lacho put our an augmented reality story book in Secwepemctsin telling some of stories called “Tuwitames” 2018, published on Apple App store 2023.

2017
Project
Silent Speakers Program in Spletsin

First Peoples' Cultural Council Pilot Program 'Silent Speakers' held at the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn Society (Splatsin Teaching Centre)

2017
Text
Secwépemc People, Land, and Laws

Book edited by Ignace, M. & Ignace, R. Secwépemc People, Land, and Laws: Yerí7 re stsq̓ey̓s-kucw. --> this book, while written in English, has many words and stories in Secwepemctsín, as well as information about our history.

2018
Organization
1st Stselxméms r Secwépemc cohort

First Secwépemc Language Proficiency Diploma Cohort starts on Adams Lake Band near Chase, BC.

2018
Project
Signage Project Ministry of Transportation

The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure collaborated with Splatsin on 14 signs within the community of Splatsin. Other signage projects with BC Trails Alliance, BC Parks & Eastern dialect bands showcase signs in our language encompassing areas near Chase, Salmon Arm and Splatsin and all the way to Revelstoke. 

2019
Policy
International Year of Indigenous Languages

International Year of Indigenous Languages, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

2019
Policy
Indigenous Languages Act

The Indigenous Languages ActLinks to an external site. received approval in 2019. The law created the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous LanguagesLinks to an external site. and gave it far-reaching authorization to promote, revitalize and reclaim languages as well as educate people about them.

2020
Organizations
Online Cohort Starts - R Stselxméms r Secwépemc

The Secwepemctsín Proficiency program for adult learners was launched online by Stselxmems r Secwepemc (Dr. Kathryn Michel). This initiative significantly broadened access to language learning, enabling a wider range of individuals to engage with Secwepemctsín through digital platforms. The program's online format also facilitated the availability of diverse language resources, contributing to a greater spread of language revitalization efforts across Secwepemcúl̓ecw. 

2021
Activist
Commissioner of Indigenous Languages

Ron Ignace, a 30-year elected chief (former) with a PhD from Simon Fraser University, was appointed to head the commission in June 2021 along with three directors who have knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures.

2023
Text
Secwépemc Laws

Shuswap Nation Tribal Council release draft of Secwepemc laws of Kwseltkten and Secwepemc-kt (Report, Casebook and Glossary)

2023
Activists
Kenpésq̓t First Two Graduates of Language Program

Robyn and Tisha Tardif, the first two Proficient speakers from Kenpésq̓t to receive Diploma from the Secwepemc language Proficiency program!  (Only had 2 fluent speakers within community before)  

2023
Policy
$2.8 Billion Settlement

Government of Canada reach $2.8 Billion settlement with First nations loss of language and culture (Gottfriedson band class settlement) This class action was brough forward by Secwpemc.

2024
Organization
Secwepemctsín Fluency Degree

R Stselxméms r Secwépemc is currently working with NVIT and UBCO to begin a Bachelor of Secwépemc Fluency Degree. Students will join other Interior Salishan degree programs: bachelor's degree in nsyilxcn, Nllkepmectsín and Stet̓imc. 

2024
Policy
State of Emergency - Secwepemctsín

St̓úxtews holds ceremony to declare state of emergency for the language. Each family elected a representative to sign the declaration, which was written ne Secwepemctsín. Renewed commitment to the maintenance and revitalization of the language in the form of new staff supporting language and culture, as well as new language classes for community members.

2024
Organization
Secwepemctsín Proficiency Program in Kenpésq̓t

Kenpésq̓t starts a language proficiency program through NVIT.