way̓ x̌ast sx̌lx̌aʔlt. isqilxʷ skʷist spəplínaʔ uɬ isumáʔ skʷist Llana Teichroeb. kn t̓l stqaʔtkʷɬniwt. kn sqilxʷ uɬ kn syilx k̓l Okanagan Nation.
Hello, my Indian name is Cottontail Rabbit, and my English name is Llana Teichroeb. I am from Westbank First Nations. I am syilx from the Okanagan Nation.
As part of an assignment for our INLG 380-Technologies for Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization, our instructor, Dr. Christine Schreyer, asked us to create a QR code with the pronunciation of the street signs on campus that are in nsyilxcən (Okanagan Language). I recorded the pronunciation for two signs: snk̓ʷak̓ʷulstn (Athletics Court) spəplínaʔ, Llana Teichroeb, tl stqáʔtkʷɬniw̓t, nsyilxcən learner and
snk̓ʷak̓ʷulstn (Athletics Court) audio recorded by: spəplínaʔ, Llana Teichroeb, tl stqáʔtkʷɬniw̓t, nsyilxcən learner
cnt̓uxʷliws (Diversity Place) audio recorded by: spəplínaʔ, Llana Teichroeb, tl stqáʔtkʷɬniw̓t, nsyilxcən learner.
I was drawn to the athletics road sign because my family has always been involved in various sports, so it seemed fitting. Likewise, my life is diverse, as I have walked in two worlds, white and First Nations. There have been many times in my life where there has been a significant division between these pieces of my identity.
Additionally, the BNLF 4th-year cohort decided to take the project further and incorporate QR codes with pronunciations for other campus areas. For no specific reason, I took on the extra word snkc̓aw̓íw̓stn, meaning bathroom/washrooms.
Seeing our language on the street signs and around campus is one avenue that allows us to bring attention to our language. Our language is connected to our culture and our identity. People need to recognize that it is not simply another language. Our language is intimately connected to who we are, and it explains our connection to our tmxʷúlaʔxʷ (land).
As syilx people, it is essential that the territory on which non-syilx people stand, live, work, and visit is recognized as being unceded land that has belonged to us since time immemorial. Our tmxʷúlaʔxʷ is that of our ancestors, and it still belongs to us as it is land that has never been given to the Crown. It is not just land; we are innately connected to the tmxʷúlaʔxʷ and all living things. Due to this connection, we understand our responsibility is to care for our tmxʷúlaʔxʷ and protect it.
I have enjoyed this assignment and I look forward to seeing and trying out the QR codes on campus.