Nłeʔkepmxcinm on facebook :D

Like link? idk how to use it LOL who's tech savy?

 <div id="fb-root"></div>
<script>(function(d, s, id) {
  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
  js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";
  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>

<div class="fb-like-box" data-href="http://www.facebook.com/platform" data-width="292" data-show-faces="true" data-stream="true" data-header="true"></div>

Nłeʔkepmxcinm on facebook :D

I would like to have a way to get more Nłeʔkepmxcin out to more people. Heres a group,
https://www.facebook.com/Nlekepmxcinm

I support also the "page" that exists, and I definitely don’t want to step on any toes over there.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/119459678113872/

Ideally I would like resource sharing to occur, but I am still looking for a forum to do that.  I was inquiring as to what First Peoples’ is doing with this new "language tutor," because they are an amazing source of generousity.  I really get a sense that they are there to share and to collaborate.  They host conferences, and give generously of resources, support initiatives, through very generous sponsors, and Canadian government dollars. ... hopefully I get a moment to update you on those soon :D

tutor.firstvoices.com
Check out this video about the language tutor initiative.. SOUNDS AWESOME!, but it takes work to get it up and going...
<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/10041997?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/10041997">FirstVoices Color Corrected Version</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/maystreet">May Street Productions</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

qʷəqʷent

:O I have missed November! here I am going crazy at university... and i have neglected you poor blog. poor poor blog, qʷəqʷent :P lol

 I put some more energy into creating dialogue on the Facebook group of Mandy Jimmie’s but its not turning out to be so much of a dialogue, but me posting, and posting.  I really can’t feel disheartened, just so you know, as I have been engaged in some research that is none other than inspiring

Nesuze wuł "Nłeʔkepmxcinm on Facebook"
Be sure to join and check out this group I mentioned, :D
Nłeʔkepmxcinm on Facebook :D

sćoqʷtetuze peł snək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ wułuʔe!
If you join the group you can chat w/ fellow Nłeʔkepmxcin language speakers and learners, and find out about cool articles, and events that are happening with not only this beautiful language, but others that are indeed inspirational! post, help out the cause lol.

Kʷukʷsteyp te sƛ̓ʔekʔep
he xʷuy̓ qʷintuymn tk snənse

C̓eʔ xʔe he nscəwmekst!

Keʔ k swiktxʷ he nscuw? have you seen my work?
ʔex nukʷ (hanging) wuł NVIT. It is hanging in NVIT.
Nesweʔ meł ʔeł k̓ʷen̓ete.  If you please, go and have a look at it in real life.
Nikne ł sil, ʔeł ƛ̓q̓uʔtene ł nscəwmekst. I cut the cloth, and I’ve sewn my handiwork.
K̓ʷmimimeʔ teʔe he nscew. This, my work is very tiny in details.
Nceweʔ c̓oqtene ł spilpiplexm nʔeye te snetene he nsƛq̓uʔm. I wrote a little story here to name aspects of meaning in what I have sewn

On the theme of Women and Strength -and in relation to women's art of the First Nations- here is what my creation [quilt block] represents. 

The main thing that comes to mind as I think about what I have made is the aspect of Women's Strength as the continuance of our art forms.

• I created the child in the cradle board and the grandmother in her regalia to further communicate that continuation.  I envisioned all that has been passed on to me from previous generations and also wanted to add others that have survived through women and being strong in traditions. [I actually knitted with toothpicks... of all things :P]

• Womens' art I chose to represent are cradle making, regalia as fashion and bead work, tanning of hides, and cedar art is represented as a hat [woven with ribbon, not real cedar :/ -and in need of repair :S].  Weaving and sewing are things that through the strength of the female ancestors continues.

• The circle also represents continuance, I chose to alter my medicine wheel to show shifts and innovation that doesn't make the art any less traditional and is symbolic of all that our art has went through and still denotes the original product from our ancestors.  Of all the peoples that have come to influence our ways there is still the stability in these arts (The Red, Yellow, White, Black, & other people).

• Dance is another area I wanted to depict through the free flowing movement of the fringe on the elder's regalia.  This is another form of strength altogether for a woman.  Then dancer is clean and sober, as well as prayerful.  

teʔe k sxəkstene kenm us nke teʔe k sʔessk̓ʷƛ̓usc ł seytknmx. I don’t understand whats the matter with/why the people don’t have any faces.
ʔex nke teʔe k swet, I guess they could be nobody.
ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ ʔex nke tekm k swet I guess they could be anybody.

Kʷukʷscemxʷ ł nskʷuleyt tes n̓tes he scewkt Thanks to our professor for giving us this assignment.
cutem tekm nmimł he y̓e tk scəwkt All of us, we did good work.
c̓eʔ xʔe nmimł he scəwkt This is all of our work together.

 nexʷum̓ y̓e xʔe It’s really good!
Cunwen̓tem We did it!
y̓eminne I like it!

ʔex kenm?

Hen̓łeʔ kp nək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ
ʔex kp n̓ ƛ̓uʔ y̓e nek̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ

ʔex kn ƛ̓uʔ y̓e nceweʔ, ... nke
xʷʔit ł nscəw wuł skʷul
ʔesp̓aqʷsne te skʷuleyt wuł skʷulełxʷ tekm he siƛ̓q̓t (hehe)
qəʔnimne ł skʷuleyt te spilex̣ms ƛ̓ixʷeł te ʔesptinusms


ʔex kn nes wuł kekeʔłesełxʷ wuł "UofA"
nes kn wuł Economics,
Human Geography,
Education Psychology,
ʔeł ne ws sʔuyuʔs ł ƛ̓uʔsqayxʷ (ʔeł ƛ̓ixʷeł he seytknmx) nł Native Studies
ʔex kn nł Native Studies Faculty,  netiyxs he ƛ̓uʔsqəyqayxʷ nʔeyeʔ "neechi"
ptinusmne netiyxs "Snək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ"
ʔeł xʷuy̓ kn nes wuł Education Faculty.
Y̓e he nswewkʷ te sp̓entsne wuł skʷul
təʔtəʔe kn nes wuł skʷul tł ciykstłszenxʷ!.. uh... ʔeł y̓eminne te skʷul
ptinusmne c̓iʔ teʔe k sx̣ʷox̣ʷstmne te skʷuleyt kn ncewe
xʷʔit te swikne te sc̓əqʷc̓oqʷ (tekm te sixƛ̓q̓t)

y̓eminne ł nscəw
ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ y̓eminne ł nskʷəlkʷuleyt

k̓ʔesminne ł skʷulkʷuleyt wuł NVIT :D
xʷʔit he skʷəlkʷuleyt wułuʔe wuł Merritt, ʔex nukʷ ƛ̓uʔsqayxʷ

təʔteʔe k sc̓iʔ teʔe nʔeyeʔ nł UofA.
ʔex ƛ̓uʔ nł "Native Studies" teʔteʔ k ṣawaṣis xʷʔit te skʷəlkʷuleyt
ƛ̓ix̣ʷeł he seytknmx nʔeyeʔ
ʔex nke təʔe k snw̓ens wuł skʷul?
teʔteʔe k sx̣ʷoxʷtc nke tes scəwms te skʷuleyt?
? teʔe k snesc wuł skʷul te skʷəlkʷuleyt?
teʔe k sx̣əkstene?
....
c̓eʔ xeʔe he nsptinusm
c̓eʔ xeʔe he nswikm

sewne ł sməłmułec wuł he Aboriginal Support Services Center cʔeył
"when̓ ł qəłqəłmin?"
ʔeł, "ʔex n̓ ƛ̓uʔsqayxʷ te skʷəlkʷuleyt wuł Native Studies?"
TBC...

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

Neswuzeʔ wuł NVIT!
Hey, go check out NVIT!

ʔex kn ƛ̓em nes wuł NVIT.  Being an NVIT alumni from Merritt campus' Academic & First Nations Studies (University Transfer) program (now Academic & Indigenous Studies), and having received the Diploma in Academic & First Nations Studies (apparently it has also been renamed), anyway -OF COURSE- I am going to advocate for this institution.  Nam̓ y̓eminne ł skʷul wuł Snk̓yepełxʷ (some call "Merritt")


Here's my 'o6 grad class, I am waaaay in the back with my Kix <3, ʔəł nskix̣zeʔ Momma Bear is front row betwixt Mary Louie and the other regalia clad elders

photo (the NOW image)

but thats not the only reason I root for this school....

 I <3

NVIT                                       I need a swag to wear @ University of Alberta here in Edmonton! STAT! lol

I choose NVIT!-Highly Recommend!

Tuł he nweyc he cʔes wn.  I am a hometown girl of the Nicola Valley <3, and at first all I wanted after I graded from Merritt Secondary -as far as I knew at the time- was to learn Nłeʔkepmxcin.  I am an exceedingly proud Nłeʔkepmx, always was. I'm proud to sing, dance, ceremony, perform, share language knowledge, and even craft all things First Peoples heritagewise.

I enrolled in unclassified studies for *my language (*OUR, .. ;) I aim to share all I know, so WE can talk). 

After Attending the initial Nłeʔkepmxcin classes that I did (back then they were INST courses), I knew then that I wanted to share what I learned as I grew in knowledge and respect for the language and also the academy itself. 

I was intruiged about learning more in the arena of Indigenous Studies (ʔex kn nes wuł NS nʔeye wuł UofA), so I completed some transfer courses in the meantime, learning about college writting, and citing in English, INST coursework.  I aimed to transfer to an offered Aboriginal/First Nations/Indigenous... ... education degree program.  I feel privileged to be able to have learned at NVIT using a wealthful of knowledge in Indigenous sources- teachers, resources, authors and also having fellow Indigenous classmates, a support system of the Elders Council, and small class sizes. 

The Most Valuable Aspects of my NVIT Education

I believe that the focus on Aboriginals, and community, elder inclusion was the best! and I believe it is to be credited with not only my success, but a lot of Aboriginal student's success

My best memory is hand drum singing @ my besties grads :) I always enjoy the honor of singing for the grads. I haven’t been there for a grad in a while though now.

Being on the cover of a program pamphlet was pretty cool too. :P (even though I thought the photo was frumpy)

Was Nicola Valley Institute of Technology a good investment in your future?

The opportunity NVIT offers to Aboriginal scholars is invaluable.  (Check out MyNVIT on Youtube, too!)

Program(s) enrolled in, year(s) completed:

Unclassified, University Transfer, Academic & First Nations Studies Diploma, 3 (+) :) :P

I copied theses Nłeʔkepmxcin Course offerings from the NVIT site for your perusal.

NLEK 100 - Nle’kepmxcin Introduction

NLEK 110 - Nle'kepmxcin I (Previously INST 113)

NLEK 111 - Nle'kepmxcin II (Previously INST 114)

NLEK 150 - Nle'kepmxcin Immersion (Previously INST 190)

NLEK 210 - Nle'kepmxcin III (Previously INST 213)

NLEK 211 (Previously INST 214) - Nle'kepmxcin IV

NLEK 220 - NLE’KEPMXCIN (THOMPSON) ORAL TRADITION

NLEK 250 - NLE’KEPMXCIN IMMERSION II

NLEK 270 - Nle’kepmxcin Structure and Analysis I

NLEK 271 - Nle’kepmxcin Structure and Analysis II

NLEK 280 - Nle’kepmxcin: Practical Speech

NLEK 281 - Nle’kepmxcin: Practical Writing

NLEK 310 - Nle'kepmxcin V (Thompson Language V)

NLEK 311 - Nle'kepmxcin VI (Thompson Language VI)

NVIT is a goldmine for Nłeʔkepmxcin-in not only this wide array of formal instruction-by our number one advocate for the language, Mandy Jimmie-but you can go and sit with the onsite elders and soak up their stories and teachings, or take opportunity to use your words with fellow NVIT community members as well.  NVIT is a good choice for not only this language, but whatever designation you choose wheither its Social Work, Business Administration, Natural Resource Technology, Aboriginal Early Childhood Education, Law Enforcement Preparation, ... or University Transfer.  From my experience, the education you receive is highly valuable with accredited courses, and quality instruction. 

Currently, I am a student @ the University of Alberta, in the Faculty of Native Studies, and enrolled in an Education Faculty Combined Degree program in Edmonton, AB.  NVIT can be a valuable stepping stone to anything you wish to pursue, just as I have utilized the transfer program.  Just keep going, if you are a youth just coming out of high school, or been out for a while working, strive to keep getting educated, especially with such a great opportunity before you-to attend NVIT!

P.S. IMU <3 NVIT 

Also on a side note:

• NVIT's award winning facility hosts onsite Daycare, Lecture Theater, Student Success Center, Library, Administration offices, Bookstore, Cafeteria, Elders' Office, Campus Housing, Labs for computer/science

• Really cool site contained within NVIT's website is this Teit-Boaz Digitization Project, which contains myths, stories, history notes, songs, ... awesomeness.

Long Lost Article

Heres something I found the other day! Archives from NVIT! Awesome place to be- BC's Aboriginal Post Secondary Institution.
Quality accredited educational programming, and a great staff, support of the Elder's Council, overall awesome atmosphere! I am so doing a blog on NVIT next time :D

This here is an 100% mini-paper I did for Sociology 101 (or something, lol) , back before I was married.  I think she was very generous and just loved my topic :P lol



Culture and Aboriginal LanguageJoella MacKenzie
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
February 2004

Culture and Aboriginal Language

      “The heart of a symbolic system is language, a system of symbols that allow people to communicate with one another” (Macionis, 2004, ch. 2). 
Aboriginal Perspective     Many people see the loss of the First language of Native people as a major problem for the whole Indigenous society.  Native people should be taught in two languages.  As Aboriginal people set in Canada for instance, none of this French immersion that occurs is beneficial to a Native child in regards to their sense of self-esteem, whole sense of self, identity within their cultures and heritage, other than those few Metis or others with mixed blood shared with French forefathers.  Nłeʔkepmxcin, a Native Language in regard to the Thompson River Salish is in Particular a language that is in need of immediate resurgence and perpetuation. 
     The thing that is occurring is that some people out there are referencing that the language acquisition is in an attempt to replace the English that is needed to thrive in society as a whole today.  The language should be seen as a compliment- not a detriment to the individual’s English (Morris, 1993).  The efforts that many Natives are putting forth now are not in an attempt to substitute English: Rather, education in the area is in an attempt to re-evaluate the self, perhaps reshape the images put forth in the past.  For instance, to try and erase the negative term ‘savage’ that is socialized in this society’s mind as deserved terminology, or other name calling derogatory terms. 
     On this earth as we know it today, there is no means for any language to outrank English.  The goal of language in the eyes of the Native is to feed our own spirits and hearts.  The energies alone that are felt when the language is spoken are very powerful.  The linguistic culture is a place where the Native can relate to his community.  Language is said to he the essence of human existence (Morris, 1993).  There are indeed many reasons why the language should be taught. 
Cultural Transmission     Many people would claim that culture is maintained through the language.  After all, “Native languages were first taught as  cultural inclusion programs” (Battiste, 1999, p.139). Language preservation is not a simple issue to be put away and forgotten about.  This is about our place in the universe.  Learning a first language is like looking inward and discovering such things as birthright, differences, reality, harmony, responsibility, as well as many other things that may be taken for granted.  According to the sociological perspective, cultural transmission occurs through language.  That means that through language each generation passes culture to the next through spoken and written language (Macionis, 2004, ch. 2).  It really is a difficult thing in this day and age to be aware of exactly where you come from, and what you stand for, especially in a diverse place such as Canada.  Hopefully the efforts of those who chose to undertake language adoption of First languages are not in vain. 
     “For many Indian groups, only a few elders still speak the groups Native language” (Reyhner, 1998, p.74).  Without further language renewal efforts, communication with elders and other fluent speakers would be broken down further, and not at the assimilation believers of the past.  Contrary to afore beliefs, learning language is neither to gain dominance nor to gain control over anything;  The idea is to be in harmony with all things.  Each person is to exist in harmony with his surroundings, and have his own contributions to the world.  The Native contribution is the culture shared by many generations upon generations since time immemorial.  A way for the culture to be shared is through language (Reyhner, 1998).  According to Macionis, Jansson, and Benoit, “language not only facilitates communication, but also ensures the continuity of culture” (2004, ch.2).  Through the elders and their knowledge of the language, there is the nature and origin of culture.  They are able to share what they know and put it together for the collective good. 
In Relation to the Sapir-Whorf Thesis     The language that is first to Native people is of high value.  There is an idea ever present in many people’s eyes that languages are crucial in being able to identify among one’s nation, as well, among other nations.  The Sapir-Whorf thesis is that idea that “people perceive the world only in terms of the symbols contained in their language” (Macionis, 2004, ch.2).  On that note, just because the languages and symbols are different, this does not make them any more or any less, just contrasting in nature and purpose.  Language also adds its own value system and knowledge base.  It maintains individual and group identity, and transmits culture form one generation to the next.  Assurance that our languages will continue as a living force will enable our cultural strengths to grow and flourish (Morris, 1993). 
    Many people also believe that bilingual instruction will produce stronger minds.  Really seeing the importance of Native language retention will definitely provide the Aboriginal with insights into many aspects of existence.  Language may be able to call the helpful spirits of our ancestors to let them know that we are speaking for them today.  Our voices are being heard, and our soul is crying to get out of the walls resurrected within our own being.  It will be about the transformation of the knowledge pot that the world possesses, stirring our own lifeblood into the mix, so to speak by letting our languages settle into our own selves and be heard in the wide world.  This may also represent a higher level of rationality because of the Old Ones earlier insights, to reference the idea of Carl Jung and his collective unconscious theory.  Our languages suggest and inside scope, where our real power lies. 
     To regain these language skills that promote fluency will be an extremely challenging exploration.  This will be the task taken on by many Native people so that there is a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in their lives.  There are many things that are contained  in complex language.  Consider how a language is used, in stories, gossip, conversation, negotiation- all are among the crisis of Aboriginal language retention. 
     The saddest reality is that the methods used in teaching language are not the best that were once used in teaching the young Native child.  Things that were never taken into account are now involved in instruction, thinking, speaking, comprehension, reading, writing, as well as to [study the grammar] of the languages (Reyhner, 1988).  Once there was a time when each speaker held the knowledge that the collective people knew about language, and everything else thought, or believed, or experienced.  Life was oral, not written, “until very recently, the Native languages developed entirely in the oral mode” (Battiste, 1999, p.127).  Today a person’s worth is what is written.  In this largely English speaking world, a person gets something called a degree, a piece of paper, and that is his worth in society.  This paper caused our ancestors to realize the value of an education and in turn, English literacy is what has threatened the very survival of Native languages.  Consider educational institutions today, which all but force everyone to take on the dominant language (Morris, 1993). 
     Our ways of thinking, communicating, and establishing identities were forever changed.  There is a newfound reliance on written language.  This many be an undermining reason that the original people’s languages are disappearing, besides the obvious effect of language repression and assimilation of the early government and it’s churches. 
Conclusions      Culture determines how we communicate with each other, and in turn the language that we communicate with transmits culture from generation to the next.  For a sense of belonging within a community, language, or code/symbols have to be used correctly.  Neither Native culture, nor Native language can be fully understood when taught separately from the other. 


ReferencesAwadazi, K., Sanchez, O.  (n.d.).  Culture and Communication:  International Communications.  Retrieved February 26, 2004, from Pearson Custom Publishing, University of Florida.  website: http://www.pearsoncustom.com/link/socialscience/soc/soc/languageandculture.html
 Battiste, M., & Barman, J.  (eds).  (1999).  First Nations Education in Canada:  The Circle Unfolds.  Vancouver, BC, Canada:  University of British Columbia Press. 
 Gilliland, H.  (ed).  (1999).  Teaching the Native American.  Dubuque, IA, USA.  Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
 Macionis, J., Jansson, S., Benoit, C.  (eds).  (2004).  Society:  The Basics.  Toronto, ONT, Canada:  Pearson Education Canada Inc.
 Morris, S., McLeod, K., Danesi, M.  (eds).  (1993).  Aboriginal Languages and education:  The Canadian Experience.  Oakville, ONT, Canada:  Mosaic Press.
 Reyhner, J.  (ed).  (1998).  Teaching American Indian Students.  OK, USA:  University of Oklahoma Press. 
 Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.  (1990).  “You Took My Talk:  Aboriginal Literacy and Empowerment.”  (House of Commons Issue No. 43)  Ottawa, ONT, Canada:  Queen’s Printer for Canada. 

Experience with Transcription

I always make reference to being a baby speaker, especially with this realization here in this massive city, never mind this massive city, this massive institution, University of Alberta. It has such a diverse population and instruction in so many languages.

I am going back to school, and I am so excited.  My previous experiences may not have led me here, they would have led me into being underemployed still with the School District back home, trying to find odd jobs writing, tutoring, or crafting/sewing.  ".25 time" I signed with them for four years, and had increasing obligation of my time to maybe ".5".  I loved my time with the students and the staff @ four schools, 3 in the Nicola-Similkameen school district-Merritt Secondary, Merritt, Central, & Nicola Canford Elementary- and one independent band operated school within the Lower Nicola Indian Band. If only I could feed my family on love. :P

I mostly enjoyed pro-d (professional development), maybe a reason I want to teach is I love school.  Of course, it hasn't always been that way.  I was thinking on a topic for this long lost blog, and I thought explaining what my experience has been. 

I'm not by any means an expert, I think to be deemed an expert you have to be someone like May Moses perhaps. wow! I am always in wonder with the complexity of speech in our language, especially when I hear her. I think of it as a ladder all the time. Elders, and my teachers' advisers are at the tip top, my teachers are in the next rungs, my aunts, my mother, my fellow learners and I fit in there, then our students, down to the real first time learners, whether they are actual immersion babies, or in "Thompson" class for the first time @ grade 5, or 9?

Through hearing immersion babies babbling, I am imagining the world and the people in it who speak or are learning our language as being born when they started learning? or comparing their knowledge of the language to if it was learned in a natural immersion setting. That is where I say I am a baby. I use a very simple structure in language, at time more complex only where I understand transitive subject and object, am able to add in more meaning with a conjunctive/ morpheme of some sort, maybe throw in an emphatic term if I remember.

Anyway, this is my idea of a Point Form Summary Report for you on Transcribing Nle'kepmxcin:

Challenges on hearing what is being said:

• Words unknown used in vocabulary
• “Slurred” sounding speech 
• clarity or dialectal differences, life-experience differences
• Very rapid speech
• difficult to differentiate where the words, roots and morphemes end and begin
• sounds not heard that are detrimental to comprehension
• Varied patterns in structure of speech, sentences
• wording, transitive, intransitive, variations of more complex language, word order
• difficult for new speaker to understand

Successes when hearing:

• Enunciated wording, familiarity
• Consistently structured phrases familiarity
• Repetition, easily recognized
• Finding resources/ assistance when needed

Paragraph Summary:

       On being enlisted to do the transcription of some selected recordings of elder’s stories for the First Voices Project, here are some challenges and successes that have been met.

Challenges were experienced overall in the areas of not knowing some select vocabulary that had been presented.  Notably, some speakers were more versed in Nłeʔkepmxcin.  From this experience, there is support in the belief that there is always lifelong learning to be done with this language. 

Among the challenges to be overcome, there were also dialectal variants such as lost sounds because of both speed and what one can only describe as an evolution of distinct sounds that seem to be disappearing in speech. 

Perhaps the last challenges were apart from the norm, uniquely structured sentences used some cases. Perhaps it is an issue of passive and active voice?

       Successes were evident where individual interviewees used clear sound pronunciation, and used consistency with their language structure, and repetition was another thing easily recognizable.  The last point that I thought it fit to mention is availability of getting help where needed. 

It has been a pleasure to hear and learn about these lessons and entertaining stories.

* Transcription of Daisy Major's story on the “Ugly Boy”

* Transcription of “Transformer” Story by Cəlmencut

* Transcription of Cəlmncut telling about the “Little People”

* Transcription of “Kəʔkeʔłes Ekʷu tk Kʷəṣo” by Amelia Washington

* Transcription of “3 Bears” by Amelia Washington
Check these stories out on First Voices! keep in mind what I said before about the site. and like I said no one is an expert, especially because it is a relatively new thing to write and read language, but its fun to learn and improve everyday.


(Apologies for not posting in a LOOOONG while.  I am ultimate excuse maker, I was ACTUALLY thinking I couldn't post because I lost my mic, LOL, what a world :P)

HBD in Nłeʔkepmxcin

This post inspired by my recent BD on the 14th of May,

Kʷukʷscemxʷ? ł nskixzeʔ te sqʷis kn? does that make ne sense :P ʔeł nsqaczeʔ, tekm łn nk̓seytkn

Thankful for this beautiful life

Thx Creator of all things

<3

Vlog, Introducing Nceweʔ

Greetings friends!
My name is Joella Bolan
My "real name" is S̓iw̓kaʔ
I will speak Nłeʔkepmxcin
I want to speak lots of Nłeʔkepmxcin
...
(My) Family
My mom is Amelia Washington
Her "real name" is Nk̓ʷəłekn̓
My dad is Robin MacKenzie
His "real name" is Q̓ʷləqeq
I have two older sisters whose english names are Suzanne Washington, and Lani MacKenzie
Their"real names" are ʔazətkʷuʔ, and Xʷəṣc̓eʔ
I have two (as well) my younger brother(step/half)
Their names in English are Cecil Washington, and Robbie Thane (<---thats 1 of :S his middle names.. lol should have said MacKenzie)
(Cec) One of my younger brothers' ndn name is Sɣəmyim
....
I have one older brother, his English name is Adrian MacKenzie
P̓əṣkeʔ is his "real name" in Nłeʔkepmxcin.
My husband is named James Bolan
He has no "real name" as well (as Robbie)
...
I have one dog, his name is Phil, Philthy Phil (because he is a white mini poodle who runs away to roll in the mud) :P
I am done talking now.
ok.
(continues Eng)
older sister in Calgary, her name is Jen Terrell
(continues in Eng)

Appologies, I am a teensy bit ill, sniffly, but I did not want to do another take, lol I feel awkward, I was tweeting about it earlier.. How to not appear as a nerd in a Vlog or something like that... haha.. I mainly have this halting and unnatural type of feeling. Both, I am sure attributed to lack of practice or functional use of my language skills lately, and a tad of a camera shy issue, despite the fact that only myself and my dog can hear me recording. :/

I am intruiged to research other ways to get language to the blog.  For instance, like this morning.. (:S till now. eeks,) I have been fooling with my YouCam, and also various functions on youtube. I have been completing tutorials on making animated scenes or video clip slide shows, however, these are not yet in my repertoire of talents. :)

I did do the little picture slideshow, I hope you watched it.. (the bear as a server in a restaurant) I forgot to mention that was created with comiclife. ... anyway,

humeł

First Voices Project : Nłeʔkepmxcin Community Portal (*Aboriginal Serif*)

Nexʷuḿ Y̓e!  This site on First Voices for the Nłeʔkepmxcin Community Portal is so awesome!... mind you, I agree with some of my resource people, and I know it is riddled with many errors, as it is an enormous task for an extremely complex language. I can only say this of my own language of Nłeʔkepmxcin, of course (as I witness spoken words that are not written, spelling errors, even quoting the wrong person as speaker). Anyway, it still is an amazing feat for all of the languages hosted on First Voices!

I have linked you to the specific page for Nłeʔkepmxcin above: However, you can chose from a wide array of languages.  The site is fairly new, always under construction? idk quite what has been happening lately on this initiative for Nleʔkepmxcin- anyway work in progress-kind of how many people have an idea of lifelong learning.  Likewise, how I admit it will take a lifelong to learn Nłeʔkepmxcin.  You have to really love learning, and the experience of language.

I think what I like most of this site is the ability to hear speech, and to see it written in a text format that is consistent with our "Thompson River Salish Dictionary."  One can play games, and read story books, sing along, search vocabulary, translate from English to Nłeʔkepmx, or Nłeʔkepmx to English. Here is the link for the FONT DOWNLOAD, you need to chose from Mac/PC links on the bottom of the page.

 I almost forgot to mention a few of my family member speakers are on there, as well as myself, we do stories, songs, and vocabulary. Close one! :P Thank you Tmixʷ Research, and FPHLCC.

I thought I should post a link to the font I use, if anyone has intell on a font for Blackberry that  works w/ Nłeʔkepmxcin please do let me know. :)

On the Alliances, of Earth, Wind, Rain, Sun and Moon

 An Nłeʔkepmx story by nceweʔ, Siw̓kaʔ


Once at a time when the world was yet to be the Creator of all things left each spirit to his own devices. At this time nothing was in chaos, yet nothing existed in harmony. Each being had an alliance with a complimentary being. Wind and Rain related to one another as did Sun and Moon. Creator saw that Earth Mother was all alone most times.

Days were inconsistent. Sun shone when he felt like firing up. Moon waxed and waned in the meantime under no particular organized cycle. Wind and Rain were like children playing all the time causing malcontent among the more mature beings.

Under these conditions Earth Mother could not conceive life. She needed sustaining cycles of rest and awareness. She needed both light and dark. Static conditions would allow her to sustain and bear children so that she would be alone no more.

She asked the Creator of all things “what should I do?… what is it that you would have me do in order to be happy? To this the simple solution he gave was prayer. Earth Mother asked, “What is prayer?” She felt very ashamed at not knowing how to pray. Creator was not one to bash the efforts of his creations so he suggested that Earth Mother simply request the help of Wind, Rain, and Sun. They were to put on a ceremony.

Unknown to the beings, they had been created for this purpose. Creator knew that they were now ready to participate in His grand scheme. For now they realized that they impact one another such as to work together would be the optimal arrangement.

The ceremony was to involve purification of Earth Mother.

Earth Mother stood serene and reverend of what was to occur. She fasted and bathed with the aide of Rain and Water and she began her prayer.

She sang beautiful melodies of vocal chords.

‘Ahhya… Ahhya… Ahye-Ahye, Ahh-yah…

She repeated her refrains and Creator knew her prayer came straight from her heart. Earth Mother was over come with emotion and wept so as she could no longer sing. She was trembling. She had almost had Creators’ blessing so she began to dance with the aide of Wind and Air.

Creator was pleased that most of his creations were working together: Earth, Rain beings, and Wind spirits. Now He requested that grandfather Sun and Fire be the next to help cleanse Earth Mother.

All the beings were afraid, especially Earth Mother. Creator said, ‘Do not be afraid. I have created each of you equally as powerful as your brothers and sisters. Water already cleansed Earth Mother through her bath. Wind and Air have also through their playful dance helped to cleanse her. If now you all complete this ceremony, Earth Mother’s prayer will be complete.

Wind and Rain now growing more and more mature began to pray for Earth Mother. Earth Mother was growing weak, but with the aid of the others in prayer she willingly subjected herself to the fire purification.

Through the whole ordeal, Earth Mother sang her familiar song, and beautiful prayer,

‘Ahhya… Ahhya… Ahye-Ahye, Ahh-yah…

When it was over all the beings felt something inexplicably different. Ingrained into each of them were seasonal and cyclical knowledge. Thus came to be the first spring. Earth Mother was now able to give birth to new beings.

She now had the tree people and the plant people to accompany her and for her to care for. Creator saw that harmony had been achieved and further blessed Earth Mother and the other beings with the care of the Water People, Winged Ones, Small Flying and Crawling People, the Four-legged People, and lastly the Two-legged Ones- You and I.

From this time on, Earth Mother, Wind, Rain and Sun agreed to be allied in this system until Creator of all things decided it was the end of their time.







I wrote this story back in a time when I was using the $99 American... "Laser Salish font", which I now do not possess, I do not even remember all the crazy keystrokes.. I am moving on to easier things, conveniece is key when you are working hard already. :P I̓ll remember to post the informational? or link to the font I use. next post maybe. "Aboriginal Serif, free :) yay, I love bargains :P

But I shall indeed re-do in Nłeʔkepmxcin AGAIN. because I am rather proud of the story, it has been published in Redwire Magazine. oh, long time ago.

This last part on this post is ....


well.... I am experimenting in all facets of this www. I am excited, & trying not to bite off more than I can chew here, finding links that are amazing resources I hope to try out, I have shared them on my fb/twitter, and I apologize for re-posting, but not everyone sees the same pages I have.

twitter QtNativeGirl
youtube joellaanitacallie

I do have others like Facebook, Myspace, idk tho...we’ll get back to you.

humeł

Mil̓tmtəm ł nłaʔx̣anseytn

<object width="606" height="455" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/56001305672" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/56001305672" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="606" height="455"></embed></object>

This was the best class I had so far.. LOL.. a whole 2 dedicated students.  They were obviously very attentive, and participated very well. 

I had a whole entire semester with 2 students this one year, and they spoke amazingly after it all. They were so shy though, they did not want to record themselves so...  ya, I did.

You get to hear me playin all the parts, though they made all the sentences, and grammer. We all illustrated backgrounds, snapped photos, put them into comiclife, then windows moviemaker and I made these lil felt props and did the voice over recording.

SO MUCH FUN. Enjoy.

Our First Nłeʔkepmxcinm Group Chat

by Ella-Jo Bolan on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 11:15pm

 You 9:50pm

• hen̓łeʔ kʷ :)

Tim Patterson

• hen̓łeʔ kʷ

You

• ʔesxəqus nke ʔex ske k sqʷintem "hen̓łeʔ kp nək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ" :)
• (we shuda said hello to eryone) ?niłm̓
• humeł

Tim Patterson

• swét heʔ skíxzeʔ (who is your mom?)

You

• Nk̓ʷəłekn ł nskixzeʔ, tuł he asxʷemxʷem nweyc he ƛ̓ʔek us (aka amelia washington) from Nooaitch

Deloris Charters

• hey

Chrissy Isaac

• hey

Deloris Charters

• cool, that is pretty cool nlekepmcin

You

• hen̓łeʔ kʷ nk̓seytkn <3

Tim Patterson

• hen̓łeʔ kʷ

You

• hen̓łeʔ kp
• nexʷum̓ y‘e!!!!!!
• (its really good)

Deloris Charters

• yaya

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• who is this putting this on? my page?

Chrissy Isaac

• well i'm off to bed, gn, back to school tomorrow

Deloris Charters

• k, good night cuz..

You

• lol qʷintene ł seytknmx (who signed up for nłeʔkepmxcinm page, gets the msgs from the chat)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• oh ok

You

• y̓e us keʔ sʕʷoy̓t (good sleep to u)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• humel

Chrissy Isaac

• ty same 2 u 2

You

• humeł
• y̓e kʷn̓ ƛ̓uʔ Sharon?

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• sta?

You

• how are you :)
• y̓e kp n̓ ƛ̓uʔ (how are you all?)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• ye ah, a we? i am fine and you i can understand but do not know how to write?

You

• humeł, xʷuy̓ sc̓oqʷtene (both?) nʔeye (ok, I try to write both :) here)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• ok

You

• mestene (I try it)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• you are doing awesome

You

• (practicing)
• kʷukʷscemxʷ (thx u)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• thats good, becasue if we don''t practice then it can be gone so fast nish't

You

• heʔay

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• ne thrum
• forgive me i am using my tongue and lips trying to find the words

You

• (worry) kn, teʔe k swet xʷuy̓ qʷintene he wn qəłmin....(I worry I won̓t have anyone to speak w/ when I am an elder) idk all words :(

Mechelle Pierre

• a whee

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• i so love listening to my husband speak the language with his peers i can understand the words they are sharing but i am like a child when it comes to speaking

You

• mestene I just try, nceweʔ ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ (me too) qʷintene c‘iʔ us he skoze (I talk like a baby) (

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• he makes me say the words over and over real slow and then tels me to say it fast

You

• teʔe k sxəkstene tekm tk steʔ ?(idk everything, )
• woah!
• fun
• xʷoxʷstmne k sxəkstene xʷʔit (I want to know lots more)

Sharon Linda Mae Antoine

• that is so good
• i am proud of you that you are keeping the language alive

You

• kʷukʷscemxʷ <3
• I want 2 do so much more...
• I remember goin up 2 my frenz in highschool n saying hen̓łeʔ kp, and getting laffed at... :( prolly less of a laff at me than a nervous idk wut to say typa deal?
• xʷuy̓ xʷuy̓ceʔ Nłeʔkepmxcinm he seytknmx he piʔesq̓t us (one day again the people will speak Nłeʔkepmxcin)

Mechelle Pierre

• hee ah ha n shwawt.

You

• keʔe k sy̓es łeʔ sxʷewk̓ʷ ? (does your heart feel good?)
• keʔe k sqʷincemxʷ (did you tell me that?)

Mechelle Pierre

• ha ay.

You

• oh, humeł, nceweʔ ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ (oh ok, me too <3)
• nam̓ y̓e he nsxʷewkʷ wn wikne ł seytknmx ʔex Nłeʔkepmxcinm (my <3 feels good when I see ppl using language)

Deloris Charters

• oh, humeł, nceweʔ ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ... me too
• i learn by watching...

You

• y̓e te swikcn nʔeye ł nsqʷəqʷzeʔ (good to see you here cuz)

Deloris Charters

• :)

You

• cimeł he wikne te sqʷintem nʔeye (first time i saw (us talk) ...a group chat here :) )
• whooooooo! (whoo! lol) cunwen̓təm (we did it)yay nmimł (us) !

Deloris Charters

• whooo

You

• kinda momentous in a small way,(I have no idea how to say that in Nłeʔkepmxcin)
• humeł nək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ xʷuy̓ xʷuy̓ceʔ k sqʷincut tk snənse (ok/good bye friends, we will talk again later)

I am just so exstatic over this, I know I posted it on my facebook.. but I thought omg how STELLAR... haha I know its quite a task to write, and speak Nłeʔkepmxcin.  Some people, through my experience as a teacher for four years, they learn differently, and at different paces! I strive to encourage people, this has been my contract to myself. "I am a proud woman encouraging and inspiring others."

I hope to inspire more to do the same, use language, and don't take it personal if you get corrected.  No one is perfect:  Its a new thing to write our language.  Also, take it easy in critisizm, some people are soft hearted as it really is a stretch to put yourself out there and say take me as I am, listen to what I have to say, help me, teach me.

humeł

Woman Warrior Credit Due in So Many Places!

xʷuy̓ xʷʔit nukʷ he nscəw nʔeye (It seems there is a lot of work for me to do here).  I have decided, I need a goal here...  as I figure out where I want to go with blogging :)

As you can see, I haven't exactly figured out what this blog is going to look like. Today I am compelled to do an update.  Life is busy, but to do this task of a blog, you do need some degree of dedication. I believe that I possess such a quality (despite having no new posts in almost a month :S).  I also believe in the Nłeʔkepmxcin, and the Nłeʔkepmx people, (and others) who are dedicatedly enticed to try and save this language. It really is beautiful in all its complexity.

On the flipside, I totally relate with all those who are overwhelmed at it.

My first experiences of Nłeʔkepmxcin were, as I remember, somewhat awkward (to say the least-may have been what I thought scolding? from gramma, to sobbing in class OMG haha silly child I was) though on the upside, I remember feeling intruiged.  I knew one day I would understand (at least part). I really wished it was sooner though, I couldn’t wait know! I strained my ear to try to pick out words, and started asking mom what was said.  Mom’s always the best teacher. <3 nəxʷum̓ xʷuzcin Nk̓ʷəlekn̓ <3

Woman Warrior! Nk̓ʷəlekn̓ aka Amelia Washington (Photo by Remington John Photography)

Language Champion Award winner! Woman Warrior! Mandy Na'zinek Jimmie (Photo by Remington John Photography)






Woman Warrior! C̓uʔsinek aka Marty Aspinall (Remington John Photography)



There are so many to credit with helping me along the way to understanding the bit that I do comprehend.  First, is Momma, for those who don’t know, is Amelia Washinton. :) She is really the most patient teacher. Lucky children these days have her as their teacher at the Coquihalla Middle School (SD#58 Nicola-Similkameen), where she’s taught formally now for almost four years.  Other fomal instructors of mine were Marty Aspinall the now retired Merritt Secondary School teacher, and Mandy Jimmie the former CMS teacher, and present Nicola Valley Institute of Technology Indigenous Studies Instructor. 

I remember three other relatives in particular who peaked my interest. Gosh they were the most beautiful women for the reason-they in their own way strove to teach me (unwittingly). One is my late grandmother Minnie Sam (nee Martin), the others, my late great aunts Rose Tate, and Julia Lampreau. (who has a good photo?, who do I seek permission from?) You see, these women spoke the language all the time, and I know they could speak English, but it was probably just easier to speak Nłeʔkepmxcin.  I wanted to know what they spoke of, and just couldn’t hear words.  I heard strings and strings of sounds, and it did sound wonderful, but thats what I found most difficult.  Where does one word end and another begin??

It was especially difficult with their old time accents, Gosh they sounded cute, especially Aunty Rose. You see, their voices were raised, its hard to explain. (maybe we will see some video blogging soon, or at the very least sound clips embedded).  They spoke supereloquently and FAST too.

Gosh, I love all these women. When I reminisce, I see Yeyeʔ and Aunty Rose sitting together speaking with Momma, or trips with Momma down to nƛ̓qəmcin to visit Aunty Rose. My ears perk each time I hear Mom speaking or Mandy, or any speaker for that matter, grateful for things like that or written posts from Marty.

Speaking is most important; Like face time or phone calls, or even Skype conversations! lets all do more.  I hope to do more Vlog, aka video logging, as that would make less of a time constraint? or to me seem more convenient and equally as useful. speak and, hearing as well as seeing written :)

Nłeʔkepmxcinmcme, speak Nłeʔkepmxcin with me!?

Nłeʔkepmxcinxuze, All of you*us*, speak Nłeʔkepmxcin!
humeł ok alright goodbye :)

On the Outset

Hen̓łeʔ kp nək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ (greetings to you all, friends)

First of all, you may need to download the Aboriginal/Aboriginal serif font in order to view this blog correctly :) (there are links here)

My name is Joella Bolan.  In creating this blog I mean only to share what I understand of our complex Nłeʔkepmxcin.  The world is fast moving forward, and I-among many others-desire for our beautiful language to accompany us in this journey of life.  I would really like to hear, and see more people using Nłeʔkepmxcin, and I would like to engage in discussion on the topics of this language and the Nłeʔkepmx.

If you have any comments or suggestions for this page, please feel free to contact me.