Our Language

Over the last several years, we have continued to strengthen and expand the program, and we are beginning to see our efforts pay off.? Before, Salish was only spoken at cultural events, such as funerals, wakes, memorials, and gatherings, and it was only spoken by our elders.? Now, you can hear it everywhere throughout the community.?Through our Language efforts, a new generation of Salish speakers has given life to a part of our culture that was once in danger of extinction. We are doing our best to speak our language and teach everyday.

Throughout this path, we have made many friends and partners to help us along the way. With the help from Chris Parkin and the Salish School of Spokane, we have created a 6-level language acquisition path that is designed to take a person from “no-salish” to “pretty darn good” in 18 months. We have also developed many learning tools and Apps to supplement classroom instruction. Please visit the curriculum and language software pages to see what we have.?

The Kalispel Tribe was fortunate enough to receive an Esther Martinez Initiative Language Grant in 2018. This grant is designed to expand the current K-2 Kalispel Language Immersion School (Snyoyo?spu?úsm) to include grades 3-5. This 3-year grant entails creating grade 3-5 curriculum for math, science, and literacy; and training 3 new teachers to speak the Kalispel language so they can teach in the classroom. Project personnel are Melinda McCormick (Curriculum Expert), Lisa Hoisington (Certified Elementary Teacher), Chelsea Samuels (Associate Teacher), and Albert Thomas (Associate Teacher).