We promote the Indigenous Language Fluency Transfer System (ILFTS) with hands on supports and tools. It is our explicit goal to show a pathway toward advanced fluency and support communities with creating and implementing the ILFTS.
Board Member, Elder Linguist, N̓səl̓xčin Speaker
LaRae Wiley is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, and she is the co-founder and Executive Director of Salish School of Spokane (SSOS). LaRae earned her BAs from Eastern Washington University in 1988 and 1990 and is a certified teacher. From 2003 through 2021, LaRae learned n̓səl̓xčin̓ (Colville Salish) as an apprentice to the late master speaker Sʕamtíc̓aʔ (Sarah) Peterson of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. The n̓səl̓xčin̓ language was moribund (no children raised in the language) for 94 years in LaRae’s family until, when she was in her late 30s, she made the commitment to bring the language back to her family and community.
Board Member, Language Activist, N̓səl̓xčin Speaker
Michelle is an activist and teacher. She is a member of Okanagan Indian Band, related to Simlas and Richters with Syilx and Suyápix (Euro) ancestry. She is certified n̓łəqʷčin̓ (high-intermediate) by Sʕam̓tíc̓aʔ Peterson and Chris Parkin of the Salish School of Spokane (Paul Creek). She spearheaded the n̓ql̓xʷčn̓iłxʷ "language house" model during her PhD & post doctorate research in Indigenous language revitalization at UBC and SFU. When not manifesting language, fundraising or tobogganing in N̓syilxčn̓ with toddlers she can be found hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and playing guitar.
Board Member, Language Activist, Lingít Speaker
K’èdukà Jack was born a child of the Taku, and is daughter of Yvonne Jack, and grandchild of Evelyn Jack of the Yanyeidí Clan. She is a Taku River Tlingit, and was raised in a strong family that always empowered her to hold up the Tlingit values that were taught to her from birth.
Early on in her life she moved to Whitehorse to attend school, returning every other week to spend time on the land of her people. She spent most of her summers hunting and fishing at her families camps each year.
She began to search for her language from a young age, after her grandmother passed away. She remembers always knowing in her toowú, that it was essential, and was determined to raise her children in the Tlingit Language.
After many years of searching, she began to understand how effective the colonial genocide of her people’s language and traditions really was, and continues to be. For a long time, it seemed impossible that she would become a speaker, and she watched with growing despair as the numbers of knowledge keepers, and speakers born into the language dwindled.
In 2014 she was introduced to a way of learning that was specifically designed for endangered indigenous languages. Through this effective methodology, she found a way to not only learn Lingít, but teach it as well. Even at a beginner level she was able to provide learners around her with opportunities to learn and teach together. Most importantly, she was able to spread the hope that she felt when learning in this proven way.
Since that time, she has moved home to the Taku River Tlingit Territory, where she lives and works every day to revitalize the traditions and language of her people. She intends to raise her children in the language, and continues to dedicate her life energy to empowering those around her, and the generations to come.
Executive Director, Language Revitalization Expert, Bavarian Speaker
My work in language revitalization is informed by a keen interest in continued growth, accountability, and learning. I deeply believe in the power of human connection, and in the power of language as a vehicle for connection. Everyone has the right to relate to the world and each other in their own language.
I was born in Bavaria, in a little mountain town in the south of Germany. Hearing Upper Bavarian spoken by my parents and relatives but being discouraged from speaking it in school and in my further education under the premise of "being able to succeed", I never became a competent speaker. Understanding that this experience is just a faint echo of the genocidal experience Indigenous peoples have gone through across the world relating to linguistic and cultural erasure, it gives me a small insight into the struggles to reclaim one's birthright language.
Outside of my language work you can find me gardening and hiking in my home on the ancestral lands of the Sinixt people, on the mats practicing Aikido, roller-skating, or spending time with my partner and kids.
Business Director, Language Revitalization Expert, N̓səl̓xčin Speaker
Christopher is the Principal and Business & Grants Manager at Salish School of Spokane. Chris holds undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Social Studies Education from Eastern Washington University, and he is an advanced speaker of N̓səl̓xčin̓ (Colville Salish). Chris is a leading expert in Interior Salish language revitalization and curriculum development and is the co-designer and co-author of the materials that make up the Indigenous Language Fluency Transfer System (ILFTS) that has been developed for n̓səl̓xčin̓ and its sister language, n̓sélišcn̓ (Spokane-Kalispel Salish). He acts as a consultant for other indigenous language communities across North America and in Australia.
Chris speaks n̓səl̓xčin̓ with his two children and five grandchildren. He lives in Spokane, Washington with his wife of 41 years, LaRae Wiley (Sinixt), a Colville tribal member and the co-founder and former Executive Director of Salish School of Spokane.