What is the language of the syilx?
Salish language
nsyilxcən, an Interior Salish language, is the traditional language of Westbank First Nation and the syilx peoples of the Okanagan valley.
What is Okanagan culture?
The Okanagan people were hunters and gatherers. Their staple diet consisted of deer, salmon, rabbit etc. The Okanagans were also gatherers of roots, berries and various other plants. The first contact with the Okanagans was probably made in the late 1700’s through the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Where do the Syilx live?
The Syilx (Salish pronunciation: [sjilx]) people, also known as the Okanagan or Okanogan people, are a First Nations and Native American people whose traditional territory spans the Canada–US boundary in Washington state and British Columbia in the Okanagan Country region.
What native land is Penticton on?
the Okanagan Nation
SnPink’tn (The Penticton Indian Band) represents one of the seven communities of the Okanagan Nation. The other six communities being Upper Similkameen, Lower Similkameen, Osoyoos Indian Band, Westbank Indian Band, Okanagan Indian Band, and Upper Nicola Indian Band.
How many Syilx people are there?
At the height of Syilx culture, about 3000 years ago, it is estimated that 12,000 people lived in this valley and surrounding areas.
Is Osoyoos on native land?
The names of many of the settlements in the Okanagan Valley–Osoyoos, Keremeos, Penticton and Kelowna–come from aboriginal words for these settled areas and attest to the long history of the Syilx people on this land.
What is the Syilx language?
It is part of the Salish language family which is distinct from our Salish neighbors, like the Spokan, the Nlaka’pamux, and the Secwepemc. nsyilxcən is spoken in all the districts of the Syilx/Okanagan territory with varying dialects.
What is the Syilx language House Association?
Westbank First Nation sponsors the Syilx Language House Association, which coordinates a four-year nsyilxcən language program. Two WFN Members are currently enrolled in the program.
What are the 8 Syilx communities?
The eight syilx communities that share this language are the Okanagan Indian Band, Westbank First Nation, Penticton Indian Band, Osoyoos Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Upper Similkameen Indian Band, Upper Nicola Indian Band, and Colville Confederated Tribes. According to the 2014 FPCC Report on the Status of B.C.
What is Syilx Okanagan language revival?
Today, community based language revitalization strategies such as immersion schools, language nests, developing curriculum, web based tools and books are all making language a major component of educational curriculum. The ONA CEC is committed to the preservation and practice of Syilx Okanagan language and culture.