The Ktunaxa language is traditionally spoken by the peoples of of the Ktunaxa Nation, which covers approximately 70,000 square kilometres within the Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, and historically included parts of Alberta, Montana, Washington, and Idaho.
According to aqam.net, 害羞草研究所淭he Ktunaxa language is an integral part of our identity as a nation and a community. It is known as a cultural isolate language 害羞草研究所� an exceptionally unique language unlike and unrelated to any other in the world 害羞草研究所� and it is critically endangered.害羞草研究所�
Mara Nelson, is 蕯aq獗maknik (a Ktunaxa person), and she, along with Ktunaxa elder, Alfred Joseph, are leading courses this fall in the language.
Running September through December 2023, the courses are available via Zoom through the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network.
害羞草研究所淐BEEN is the platform we use for the classes,害羞草研究所� Nelson said. 害羞草研究所淭hey give us a wonderful venue.害羞草研究所�
Nelson says that there are currently under 30 fluent speakers of the Ktunaxa language.
害羞草研究所淭hankfully that number is rising,害羞草研究所� she said.
One of the goals of the courses when they began in 2022 was to educate the educators that live and teach in Ktunaxa territory so that the language is present in every Ktunaxa classroom, but that has evolved.
害羞草研究所淥riginally it was to educate educators, but we realized we need business people, cashiers in our stores, those who work in libraries, to be comfortable in our greetings,害羞草研究所� Nelson said. 害羞草研究所淥ur goal is that anyone who call calls Ktunaxa home is comfortable with the language.
The 12-weeks of lessons cover greetings, common daily items, verb and noun work and, very importantly, sounds. The sounds are important, Nelson says, so the words in this very distinct language are pronounced properly.
害羞草研究所淓ach session we say the day, greetings, and then there is a unit of work.害羞草研究所�
They are beyond pleased with the response the courses have received since the beginning, she says.
害羞草研究所淥ur goal was 45 students, we got 75 to 80 with a hunger to know this language. We started in November 2022 and have been running continuously.害羞草研究所�
There are still a few spots available in this fall害羞草研究所檚 course. You can sign up .
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 very important that residents know the language of the Ktunaxa people, so that we can greet each other with respect. The land is rooted with the language and culture,害羞草研究所� Nelson said.
害羞草研究所淲e cannot reconcile without speaking the same words.害羞草研究所�
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