Tla’amin Children Revitalize ʔayʔaǰuθəm Language Through Immersion

Children in the Tla’amin Nation are engaging in a transformative language immersion program called qaymɩχwqɛnəmšt, aimed at revitalizing the ancestral language ʔayʔaǰuθəm. Located on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, the program fosters a deep connection to cultural heritage while educating preschoolers and young students in their native tongue. The initiative, which launched its pilot year in 2023, is a collaboration between Tla’amin Nation and the qathet School District.

As the school day begins, children participate in a morning exercise, rhythmically clapping and introducing themselves in ʔayʔaǰuθəm. Instructor Koosen Pielle emphasizes the importance of these sessions, describing them as an emotional check-in that reinforces community bonds. The program is designed to immerse students entirely in the language, covering subjects such as math, literacy, science, and social studies, all through the lens of ʔayʔaǰuθəm.

The immersion program caters to preschool students and a combined Kindergarten and Grade One class, meeting for a full school day twice a week. Pielle, who teaches the older group, is part of a dedicated team that includes Karina Peters and Alyssa Louie. She reflects on the legacy of her family, who have long been knowledge keepers of the language.

Pielle highlights the integration of the provincial curriculum with Tla’amin’s 13-moons calendar, ensuring that lessons are culturally relevant. Currently, the class focuses on salmon, which is significant during the fall spawning season, and will transition to storytelling as winter approaches.

Despite the success of the program, Pielle acknowledges the challenges of developing a comprehensive curriculum. Funding constraints have historically limited resources, but there is a renewed sense of urgency as the community faces a decline in fluent ʔayʔaǰuθəm speakers. According to the First Peoples Cultural Council’s 2022 Language Report, there are only 238 speakers, with 78 being fluent.

The Tla’amin Nation is actively working on a revitalization plan that includes expanding the language database and strengthening immersion programs. The goal is to document a total of 22,000 entries by utilizing the FirstVoices platform. Currently, the database holds 6,530 words and 8,901 phrases.

In addition to enhancing the children’s program, Tla’amin is also piloting an adult immersion course through the University of Victoria, which has attracted nearly 50 participants. This initiative aims to increase fluency among those who may understand the language but lack confidence in speaking.

Community engagement is central to the revitalization efforts. Pielle is proud of the connections being fostered through the program, which not only supports children but also engages Elders and fluent speakers in classroom activities. Brandon Louie, an elected member of the Tla’amin executive council, expressed optimism about the program’s future, noting the impressive progress of the children in absorbing the language.

Plans to incorporate ʔayʔaǰuθəm into various aspects of daily life and governance are underway. The Tla’amin Nation aims to have street signs display both ʔayʔaǰuθəm and English, along with the language being featured in newsletters and social media.

Louie highlighted the importance of collaboration among the sister nations, including Xwémalhkwu, Klahoose, and K’ómoks, which have their own revitalization strategies. This cooperative approach will help share resources and strengthen language programs across the region.

Pielle shares her excitement about the program’s impact on students. She notes that witnessing children embrace their cultural identity and participate confidently in community events is a powerful testament to the program’s success. “I feel like I am witnessing our ancestors’ wildest dreams,” Pielle said, reflecting on the importance of language revitalization and cultural pride in the Tla’amin community.

As the program continues to evolve, Tla’amin Nation remains committed to ensuring that ʔayʔaǰuθəm thrives for future generations, bridging the past with the present and fostering a renewed sense of belonging among its people.