SNXʷMENEʔ NQʷLQʷELTN
Our Spokane language is a dialect of Interior Salish, and while it is related to others in this language family, it is unique in many ways. The Salish family has no known relation to any other language.
https://www.spokanelanguageculture.com
For information about our language program, please contact us at:
PO Box 100
6190 Agency Loop Rd.
Wellpinit, WA 99040
(509)258-4222
Language Program Manager: Marsha Wynecoop
marshaw@spokanetribe.com
Language Programmer
rodney.mccoy@spokanetribe.com
Back to the Heart School
6220 Agency Loop Rd.
Wellpinit, WA 99040
Lead Teacher: Felicia Pichette
felicia.pichette@spokanetribe.com
Office Assistant: Lorena Abrahamson
lorena.abrahamson@spokanetribe.com
Learn The Language
LESSON 1
Lesson 1 Greetings
Vocabulary
- ʔa x̣est skʷekʷst Hello, good morning
- ʔa x̣est sx̣lx̣alt Hello, good day
- ʔa x̣est sč̓luxʷ Hello, good evening
- ʔa x̣est skʷkʷʔec Hello, good night
- i… likewise (acknowledgement of greeting)
- n̓em heł wíčtmn I will see you again.
- kʷʔec̓ščén̓? How are you?
- hi čn x̣is I’m fine.
- čn ayx̣ʷt I’m tired.
- čn weyt I’m sick.
- stem̓ ha skʷest ? What is your name?
- hi skʷest ____. My name is…..
- ____ łuʔ hi skʷest. My name is…..
Dialogue 1
A: ʔa x̣est sx̣lx̣alt Hello, good day.
B: i… Likewise.
A: stem̓ ha skʷest ? What’s your name?
B: hi skʷest ____. stem̓ ha skʷest ? I’m ___. What’s your name?
A: hi skʷest ____. My name’s ___.
B: n̓em heł wíčtmn. See you later.
A: n̓em heł wíčtmn. See you later.
Dialogue 2
A: x̣est sč̓luxʷ. Good evening.
B: i… Likewise.
A: kʷʔec̓ščén̓ ? How are you?
B: hi čn x̣is, kʷʔec̓ščén̓ ? I’m well. How are you?
A: čn ayx̣ʷt. I’m tired.
B: x̣est skʷkʷʔec. Good night.
A: n̓em heł wíčtmn. See you later.
The Spokane Tribe of Indians vision is to achieve true sovereignty by attaining self-sufficiency. We will preserve and enhance our traditional values by living and teaching the inherent principles of respect, honor and integrity as embodied in our language and life-ways. We will develop strong leadership through education, accountability, experience and positive reinforcement.