NIȽ TU,O Child and Family Services Society (NIȽ TU,O) is introducing an exciting new resource as part of its “Speak” Initiative: a word search series to help Coast Salish families learn and practice SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, and lək̓ʷəŋən.
NIȽ TU,O’s “Speak” Initiative is a multi-part effort to make language-learning tools accessible, and it is one of the many ways NIȽ TU,O works to provide culturally appropriate support for Coast Salish children and families. The initiative currently includes a “Speak” webpage featuring over 50 recordings of SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, and lək̓ʷəŋən vocabulary, NIȽ TU,O’s “Culture and Care Daily Planner” which provides a hands-on way for young adults to practice traditionally-minded self-care through immersion in Coast Salish culture and language, and a weekly short-form video series that brings SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, and lək̓ʷəŋən language learning to social media.
The new word search feature is a series of word-search style games that present questions and answers about NIȽ TU,O, information about Indigenous plants, local animals, Greetings, and place names in a highly-engaging format. In this way, the word search series will work alongside the “Speak” initiative’s other educational components to help students of SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, and lək̓ʷəŋən with vocabulary and visual familiarity.
The word search series will be found in the next version of NIȽ TU,O’s “Culture and Care Daily Planner.” Additionally, NIȽ TU,O will make printable versions available on the “Resources” section of the website. NIȽ TU,O is also working on colouring and activity sheets that feature the word searches, coming this summer. NIȽ TU,O is proud to present this opportunity to help preserve the SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, and lək̓ʷəŋən dialects in a way that is accessible to Coast Salish community members of all ages.
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