About Sechelt Language Department

The she shashishalhem language is a Coast Salish Dialect spoken by the shishalh people. In the early 1970s the Elders of the shishalh nation began their journey to revive the she shashishalh language with the assistance of Ronald C. Beaumont, a linguist and professor from the University of British Columbia.

The Sechelt Language lesson book was published in 1978. The purpose of the book was to assist with the launch of the shishalh Nation and School District 46 Native Environmental School ( NES) initiative located at the shishalh Nation village site of Tsunay (Deserted Bay), Jervis Inlet. The NES school was in operation from 1977 - 1983.

Sechelt Language Audio

Over the last 40 years Ron and the Elders have continued to provide invaluable translation of over 10,000 words that has just been published into a new Dictionary that was launched on October 6th 2011 as part of the shishalh Nation 25th year of Self Government Celebrations. Ron and the Elders have worked closely with the shishalh Nation Education Department staff to provide on-going translation for curriculum development that include: songs, dances, legends, prayers and classroom instruction.

she shashishalhem Phrases

To assist with communication we have provided a number of phrases that you can use in everyday conversation when speaking our language.

1. Sechelt - shishalh
2. Welcome - ?imash ?imash
3. Come in - mi la
4. Good Morning - ?iy te kwiy kwiy
5. How are you - kw a chxw ?t ?iy
6. I am very good - ?iy mut
7. Thank you (said to one person) - ?ul nu msh chxw
8. Thank you (said to group) - ?ul nu msh chalap
9. Good bye (said to one person) - tsu la
10. I am going - tsu chen skwa

Sechelt Band members who feel that they have mastered the 10 words can come up to the Eduation department and be tested by either Andy Johnson or Leah Julius. If you are able to pronouce all 10 words correctly, we will give you a gift certificate from one of our local stores.

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