OIB Language House

08/20/2026

08/18/2026

Today’s language session focused on feelings, behaviours, and traits, but as usual, the conversation took us in some pretty funny directions. 😂

In this video, Franchesca and Joe go over a few words that work particularly well together:

tanmscin talking nonsense or gibberish

nmaʔmʔinaʔmn when you’re tired of hearing it. The root word is maʔmat, meaning nuisance.

akstimtn ixiʔ never mind him.

Put them all together and you get:
😂 “Trump is talking gibberish. I’m tired of hearing it. Never mind him.”

08/18/2026

Today’s language session focused on feelings, behaviours, and traits and the different ways our language describes them.

We had vocab that we went over but some gold nuggets are:

• kɬƛaƛ̓aʔmut is not a good thing to be it describes being possessive of your partner.

• k̓ɬkʷisəst relates more to kids being jealous.

• nsəsiwsw̓cn is when someone is asking too many questions! 😆

These conversations are a good reminder that our words don’t always translate neatly into English. Learning from our speakers gives us the context behind the words when they’re used, who they’re used for, and what they really mean.
Another good day of learning together at the Language House. ❤️

08/13/2026

Today's session was mostly about fire 🔥

Franchesca, Jane, and Sheri go over some of the vocabulary we had today

We learned words for ash, spark, ember, fire, firefighter/someone who puts something out, lighting a fire, burning or bursting into flames, to burn, small scattered fires, something being lit, lighting a lamp, and the word for a light/lamp.

Also, “On my way back, I saw fire on the mountain,” “brain freeze,” and “lay on the ground.”

08/13/2026

Our language session today involved a lot of words connected to fire 🔥 as we move through fire season.
Learning the language through what is happening on the land around us helps keep our learning relevant and grounded. Today gave us an opportunity to build our vocabulary while talking about different words and ways to say fire

08/01/2026

We are so grateful for the time, knowledge, and laughter shared by our Elders. Every session is a reminder that our language is carried through relationships, stories, and the generosity of those who continue to teach us.

07/31/2026

Today we went over some everyday phrases that can be used with little ones!
In this video, Franchesca, Sheri, and Jane share vocabulary and phrases such as:
• "Do you want to play with this?"
• "What colour is this?"
• "Don't throw it (your toy)"
• "Put your toys away."
• "Here is a _____."
• "Don't smear it on yourself."

We also learned a humorous phrase that might be used for someone who's a little too generous when applying their makeup. 💄🤭 lut aksp̓t̓ʕasm!

07/29/2026

Our vocabulary is guided by current events and everyday life
Franchesca (yutlx) goes through the vocabulary from our intermediate language session followed by our community elders Jane Stelkia and Joe McGinnis

This session we learned words and phrases for:
I'm warm • Forest fire • Smoke • It's burning • Smoky (inside) • Smoky • Working out (physically) • Working on yourself spiritually • Choose • Doctoring (Indian) • Looking for your power • Strong hands • Weak hands • Fast hands • Take the lid off (command) • Burned your hand

07/10/2026

Volume up ~
Here are some words and their pronunciation that we learned in immersion today. Jane and Sheri Stelkia are saying it in the language.