An initiative at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus has been ongoing for 15 years to incorporate Nsyilxcn names into street signs, aiding two generations of Syilx Okanagan women in reconnecting with their heritage and reclaiming their cultural identity.
The project involves integrating the language of the Syilx Okanagan Nation into the campus street names, with interpretations of names such as Alumni Avenue and University Way. Nsyilxcn is the native language of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, whose unceded territory UBCO occupies.
Recently, Llana Teichroeb and her daughter Kim Kosick, both Syilx Okanagan women, created a pronunciation guide for the street names, which now feature QR codes linking to the guide. This project aims to contribute to reconciliation efforts and help individuals like Teichroeb restore a language that was forcibly taken away from her grandmother during the residential school era.
Learning Nsyilxcn was a significant journey for Teichroeb and Kosick, who primarily spoke English. Kosick emphasized the importance of their joint learning experience, especially as it transitioned online due to the pandemic. The inclusion of QR codes on the street signs provides an interactive way for students and visitors to engage with the Nsyilxcn language.
The impact of the project extended beyond the mother-daughter duo, as Kosick’s children, who were exposed to Nsyilxcn in their early lives, joined their mother and grandmother on stage during their graduation ceremony. Christine Schreyer, their professor, highlighted the significance of witnessing this multigenerational connection and shared her hopes for further expansion of Nsyilxcn language inclusion on campus.
In addition to promoting Nsyilxcn language fluency, UBCO has introduced courses for other Interior Salish languages like NłeɁkepmx and St’át’imc. Schreyer mentioned that students have created podcasts on language revitalization, which could be shared in the future to continue fostering interest and engagement with Indigenous languages.
The incorporation of QR codes on the street signs not only serves as a learning tool but also offers a unique opportunity for individuals to immerse themselves in the sounds and meanings of the Nsyilxcn language, connecting them more deeply to the land and its cultural roots.