My name is Peggy Joe, I am a member of the Okanagan (syilx) Nation, registered member of the Okanagan Indian Band. I have been married to my partner Daniel Joe for 23 years and we have three sons, Gregory, Dylan and Ethan, and one grandson Emerson. When I first heard we were going to be doing QR codes for road signs on UBCO campus, I had mixed emotions at the thought. In some ways, it felt like pan-Indian work, meaning, someone needed to check a box to show they are doing their part for reconciliation and acknowledge the syilx people and the traditional lands they reside upon.
The word Reconciliation is somewhat of a buzzword these days with people using it at nauseam, trying to convince Indigenous people that they understand and are allies. What you know is what you have learnt in textbooks, or class lectures, which is not necessarily bad in the sense that you are finally receiving information that sheds light on the genocidal attempts of the Canadian government. The challenge is you go away with a false sense of understanding and in turn have this misconceived idea about what you think you know about who we are. While I believe that, I also understand and recognize the value in sharing our language and increasing the visibility of it. Not only as a teaching tool, but also as a reminder to all who visit here that they are on the traditional un-ceded lands of the Okanagan (syilx) people, who enjoy a rich and vibrant culture, who walk with pride in the knowledge from their ancestors and whose land you walk upon today.
For my submission, there were two street signs and two additional words that were an add-on to the project. There was no real connection or deep meaning behind why I chose the words I chose. However when I reflect upon my words, I believe knowledge is vital in every aspect of our lives not merely in an academic setting, knowledge is everywhere.
aʔ cmystim (Knowledge Lane) audio recorded by: x̌ʷnamx̌ʷnm tl OKIB, Peggy Joe, language learner.
International speaks to the exposure our language will receive from International students, who when they return home, will take a little piece of our language with them.
xәƛ̕pulaxʷ iʔ cwilx (International Mews) audio recorded by: x̌ʷnamx̌ʷnm tl OKIB, Peggy Joe, language learner.
Street Signs
- Knowledge Lane – aʔ cmystim
- International Mews – xəƛ̓pulaxʷ iʔ cwilx
Additional Words
- Teacher – səxʷmaʔmáyaʔm
- Theater – snyaʔyáx̌aʔtn