Millie Thrasher examines an orange Sallirmiutun dictionary in her residence in Paulatuk, N.W.T., locating the translation for the term “mother” on page 80. She recites “Amaamak” from the page. Further down are the Inuvialuktun dialect’s equivalents for “he sent it by my mother,” which she struggles to pronounce correctly. Thrasher emphasizes the importance of accurate pronunciation for effective communication.
Sallirmiutun is one of the three Inuvialuktun dialects spoken by the residents of Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, and Tuktoyaktuk in the coastal N.W.T. region. According to the N.W.T. Bureau of Statistics, around 411 individuals are proficient in Inuvialuktun, with an estimated 200 speakers of the Sallirmiutun dialect. Thrasher dedicates her time to practicing the language, expressing concern over the diminishing number of fluent speakers due to the passing of elders.
Lily-Ann Green, another elder from Paulatuk, suggests that only a few fluent speakers remain in their community, possibly even just herself. Both Thrasher and Green emphasize the importance of preserving the language, advocating for its inclusion in both home and school settings. Efforts to teach Sallirmiutun are underway at Angik School in Paulatuk, where every grade is exposed to the language.
In Tuktoyaktuk, approximately 360 kilometers away, language classes in Sallirmiutun are gaining traction through regular gatherings in a traditional sod house. Darrel Nasogaluak, the chair of the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, credits the success of the classes to the welcoming atmosphere of the sod house, which serves as a communal space for elders to engage in language learning activities.
Emily Angulalik, the executive director of the Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq, emphasizes the importance of spending time with fluent speakers to learn a language effectively. She leads efforts to revitalize Inuinnaqtun in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, and surrounding areas, encouraging individuals to engage with elders and participate in cultural activities to preserve the language.
Despite the challenges, Green and Thrasher remain optimistic about revitalizing Sallirmiutun in their community. They highlight the need for continued support from remaining elders and emphasize the importance of securing funding to sustain language revitalization efforts. Their dedication to preserving their language reflects a commitment to ongoing revitalization efforts.