Westbank First Nation launches online program to help revitalize syilx language

Westbank First Nation is launching an online language tutorial on the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The self-paced resource will be launched online Sept. 30 through 45 video tutorials featuring Westbank First Nation Coun. Jordan Coble and Okanagan Nation Alliance member Levi Bent, according to a Westbank First Nation news release.

“Our language is endangered and folks for generations have been working to keep our language, our identity, our source of who we are, alive. As new tools are provided we must adapt to spark the interest of our people to engage with our language and experience the joy it brings,” Coble said in the release.

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The nsyilxcen lessons were funded through a $100,000 grant from the First People's Cultural Council, with the goal of "revitalizing" the nsyilxcen language for the syilx nation and guests who also join the program.

"We simply hope this resource can help spark your interest by creating a space safe and allow you to control your learning pace, and hopefully have a little fun learning,” Coble said.

Originally the program was meant to include in-person teachings, but it was reworked into an online learning platform as a health precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"The program would not have been possible without the support and hard work of language speakers, past and present who champion the nsyilxcen language in the community," the release reads.

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