OIB Language House

x̌ast nqilxʷcn sx̌l̓x̌ʕal̓t. puti kʷu aláʔ uł puti kʷu nqilxʷcnm. Happy Indigenous Language Day! We are still here and still speaking our language ✊🏽🪶🌼

unixʷm💛

AND be sure to not only sit with Elders but offer to help, check in with them & offer some sooniyas (money) 😘 to help with groceries, bills or self care! 🩷

https://youtu.be/hErEC8tQBLk?si=upy4sKzgvY2iYZRg

k̓mkn̓iłxʷ iʔ‿citxʷ (Up On the Housetop in Colville-Okanagan Salish) A video of k̓mkn̓iłxʷ iʔ‿citxʷ (Up On the Housetop in Colville-Okanagan Salish) by LaRae Wiley with Sarah Peterson.

Sharing this from some students from last year caroling We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
way x̌ast aʔ sputaʔ
way x̌ast aʔ sputaʔ
way x̌ast aʔ sputaʔ
uł nixʷ aʔ sic spintk

We have carolers knocking at our door 🎄

https://youtu.be/FM_xeWrLf-4?si=Bb36D-1tp8CzIFFe

o spútaʔ sc̓al (Oh Christmas Tree in Colville-Okanagan Salish) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Did you know?
Jane has shared that when she was growing up, there was no Christmas as we know it today. It wasn’t until much later in her life that Christmas became more common. She remembers there being no toys, no gift-giving...those things simply weren’t part of life then.

Holidays like Christmas are actually a very recent tradition. Traditionally, our people didn’t mark this season with decorations or with anything having to do with Santa. Instead, this time of year was about staying close to family, captikʷł, and paying attention to the land and the changes happening around us.

Now that the shortest day of the year has passed, we look ahead with gratitude to the return of longer days and more light. It’s a time to reflect, give thanks, and remembering the teachings, stories, and ways that have always guided us.