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
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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. :)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 11, 2011
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.
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
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
- hen̓łeʔ kʷ :)
- hen̓łeʔ kʷ
- ʔesxəqus nke ʔex ske k sqʷintem "hen̓łeʔ kp nək̓ʷnuk̓ʷeʔ" :)
- (we shuda said hello to eryone) ?niłm̓
- humeł
- swét heʔ skíxzeʔ (who is your mom?)
- Nk̓ʷəłekn ł nskixzeʔ, tuł he asxʷemxʷem nweyc he ƛ̓ʔek us (aka amelia washington) from Nooaitch
- hey
- hey
- cool, that is pretty cool nlekepmcin
- hen̓łeʔ kʷ nk̓seytkn <3
- hen̓łeʔ kʷ
- hen̓łeʔ kp
- nexʷum̓ y‘e!!!!!!
- (its really good)
- yaya
- who is this putting this on? my page?
- well i'm off to bed, gn, back to school tomorrow
- k, good night cuz..
- lol qʷintene ł seytknmx (who signed up for nłeʔkepmxcinm page, gets the msgs from the chat)
- oh ok
- y̓e us keʔ sʕʷoy̓t (good sleep to u)
- humel
- ty same 2 u 2
- humeł
- y̓e kʷn̓ ƛ̓uʔ Sharon?
- sta?
- how are you :)
- y̓e kp n̓ ƛ̓uʔ (how are you all?)
- ye ah, a we? i am fine and you i can understand but do not know how to write?
- humeł, xʷuy̓ sc̓oqʷtene (both?) nʔeye (ok, I try to write both :) here)
- ok
- mestene (I try it)
- you are doing awesome
- (practicing)
- kʷukʷscemxʷ (thx u)
- thats good, becasue if we don''t practice then it can be gone so fast nish't
- heʔay
- ne thrum
- forgive me i am using my tongue and lips trying to find the words
- (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 :(
- a whee
- 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
- mestene I just try, nceweʔ ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ (me too) qʷintene c‘iʔ us he skoze (I talk like a baby) (
- he makes me say the words over and over real slow and then tels me to say it fast
- teʔe k sxəkstene tekm tk steʔ ?(idk everything, )
- woah!
- fun
- xʷoxʷstmne k sxəkstene xʷʔit (I want to know lots more)
- that is so good
- i am proud of you that you are keeping the language alive
- 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)
- hee ah ha n shwawt.
- keʔe k sy̓es łeʔ sxʷewk̓ʷ ? (does your heart feel good?)
- keʔe k sqʷincemxʷ (did you tell me that?)
- ha ay.
- 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)
- oh, humeł, nceweʔ ʔeł ƛ̓uʔ... me too
- i learn by watching...
- y̓e te swikcn nʔeye ł nsqʷəqʷzeʔ (good to see you here cuz)
- :)
- 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) !
- whooo
- 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 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
Sunday, April 10, 2011
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 :)
humeł ok alright goodbye :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)