A new feature of NIȽ TU,O Child and Family Services Society’s “Speak” Initiative – a weekly video series for those interested in learning SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, or lək̓ʷəŋən – is now live on NIȽ TU,O’s social media accounts.
A still image from one of NIȽ TU,O’s Speak Series videos.
NIȽ TU,O’s “Speak” Initiative is a multi-part effort to make language-learning tools accessible. It is one of the many ways NIȽ TU,O works to provide culturally appropriate support for Coast Salish children and families.
The “Speak Initiative” began with the creation of a “Culture and Care Daily Planner” which provides a hands-on way for young adults to practice traditionally-minded self-care. Throughout the planner are QR codes, which, when scanned open the “Speak” section on the NIȽ TU,O website. There, visitors to can both read and listen to SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, or lək̓ʷəŋən. Website visitors have over 50 recordings to explore in categories such as: mountain animals, colors, counting, months, daily phrases, and moons.
A still image from one of NIȽ TU,O’s Speak Series videos.
Now, NIȽ TU,O is expanding this initiative in the medium with the highest reach to young community members: short-form video.
Every week, NIȽ TU,O will post a new video clip to NIȽ TU,O’s social media platforms. Each video will cover an individual introductory word or phrase in SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, or lək̓ʷəŋən. Knowledge holders and language teachers, TELTÁLEMOT and SIX̱NOMET feature in the videos, vocalizing each word so listeners can hear pronunciations from different voices.
The online nature of this new weekly video series ensures endangered languages like SENĆOŦEN, Hul’q’umi’num’, and lək̓ʷəŋən are being appropriately preserved, digitized and made accessible 24/7. Follow NIȽ TU,O on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook to explore the series and be the first to know new episodes are released.
