ʔa·kǂukaqwum (language)
Kȼmak̓qa ksukⱡuⱡa·k kuk̓qani ȼ k̓itqakiⱡ haqa ksiʔⱡ ȼxa ʔa·kⱡukqaʔis ksukiⱡq̓ukaʔmi·ka kiʔin Ktunaxa naʔs ʔamak̓ʔis.
Speaking our languages and celebrating who we are and our history in our ancestral homelands.
We envision and work toward a vibrant Ktunaxa language that is seen, heard, felt, and understood by Ktunaxa ʔaqⱡsmaknik̓ every day, wherever we are.
Ours is a language isolate and is unique in the world. We are doing all we can to preserve it for the current and future generations.
Our Elders offer their time and knowledge with patience and generosity, and are our greatest teachers. Their voices are the foundation of our efforts to ensure that each word spoken in Ktunaxa, and each story shared, carries the knowledge of our ancestors forward.
We work with Language Speakers from each Ktunaxa First Nation and Kootenai Tribe—ʔakisq̓nuk, ʔaq̓am, Yaqan Nuʔkiy, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡiʔit, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and the Ksanka Band of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Language revitalization
Ktunaxa Literacy Day
Ktunaxa Literacy Day has been celebrated every October 24 since 1994.
Ktunaxa ʔa·kǂukaqwum speakers and learners gather in a different place in a collaborative event to celebrate the language.
Speakers, activities and panels inspire and strengthen inter-generational knowledge transmission.
Transcription
We are transcribing close to 150 audio recordings of Ktunaxa speakers. These recordings are housed in the California Language Archive, and are a vital link in ʔa·kǂukaqwum transmission.
Nine Ktunaxa contractors have worked to transcribe these recordings.
A draft program guide and workflow is ready to support future transcribers once additional funding is sourced.
Previous funders of this vital work include Library and Archives Canada and Columbia Basin Trust.
Resources
Verb Booklets
We’ve created 15 verb booklets, each one illustrated by a Ktunaxa artist.
Apps
The Ktunaxa Language App and the Ktunaxa Grammar App are available for both Apple and Android devices. Search the app store of the device you use.
Learning Sessions
We develop and facilitate sharing sessions for Ktunaxa language learners that run throughout the year (with a summer break).
These informal online sessions support peer learning and knowledge transfer, and have increased the capacity of dozens of Ktunaxa language learners.
Learn more by visiting our Language Learning page.
On Social Media
Regular video lessons—Ktunaxa Phrase of the Week—are posted on social media.
These videos play a vital role in making language learning accessible & engaging to all audiences.
Check out Ktunaxa Pride (Aiyana Twigg) & Ktunaxa Heart
(Samantha Sutherland) on Instagram!
The Kulilu Project
The Kulilu Project preserves the memories of Ktunaxa Elders and Knowledge Holders.
We interview Elders and are transcribing their memories into a keepsake book.
Learn more by emailing tklac@ktunaxa.org.
Ktunaxa on First Voices
First Voices hosts a Ktunaxa language site, offering an online dictionary featuring, audio, songs, phrases and more.
Audio features Ktunaxa speakers such as Elizabeth Gravelle, Dorothy Alpine and Herman Alpine.
Cultural revitalization
ʔa·knusti Land Guardians
ʔa·knusti are Ktunaxa “land guardians” who work as eyes and ears on the ground throughout the territory, all year round.
Fisheries
ʔa·knusti conduct Species at Risk Patrols (fisheries), do fish counts, netting, tagging or harvesting, and support Salmon Warriors from other Nations on shared salmon restoration work.
Archaeology
ʔa·knusti review and conduct Archaeological Impact Assessments and field reconnaissance throughout the territory, and catalog artifacts within the Ktunaxa Nation Regional Repository.
Forestry
ʔa·knusti work with Nation forest ecologists and knowledge holders to help ensure forestry in the territory is conducted in ways that follow Ktunaxa Forest Standards. This includes learning from successful community forests, and contributing to Cultural and Conservation Values discussions.
Trapping
ʔa·knusti work with Ktunaxa hunter Lindsey Whitehead to operate trap lines for the ʔaq̓am community.
This knowledge transfer is valuable, not just to ʔa·knusti, but to the broader community, including students at ʔaq̓amnik Elementary.
Ktunaxa Trails Project
ʔa·knusti are mapping historic and current Ktunaxa trails throughout the homelands.
They are learning how to pack and camp with horses, the Ktunaxa way. The documented trails will be translated into an interactive trail app for Ktunaxa to use.
Salmon Warriors
Ktunaxa youth, Elders, Leaders and citizens, including ʔa·knusti guardians, participate in the Columbia River Salmon Restoration Initiative (Bringing the Salmon Home).
They attend the Indigenous Knowledge Counsel and other groups to bring Ktunaxa cultural input to restoration of salmon, which is one of our traditional and most valued food sources.
Kinship Project
We partner with the Kootenai Culture Committee to strengthen historical ties and maintain kinship connections, traditions and shared teachings with our sister tribes.
Provincial Elders Gathering
Each year, we send up to 40 Ktunaxa Elders to the Provincial Elders Gathering.
Elders who attend can share wisdom and culture and discuss Indigenous rights and governance issues with Elders from other Nations.
This strengthens inter-Nation relationships and promotes shared advocacy on issues that matter.
Cultural Management Plan
We work with Elk Valley Resources to bring Ktunaxa Stewardship Principles into reclamation processes.
Our Cultural Working Group members visit mining and reclamation sites and attend meetings. They contribute to a more culturally grounded approach to cultural resource management so that Ktunaxa heritage is upheld.
To learn more about this and other working groups, please visit the IMBA page (which will be coming soon).
Ktunaxa Signage
TKL is working on a variety of signage projects aimed at sharing Ktunaxa language and cultural knowledge across ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa.
Key projects include:
• Kicking Horse Canyon
• Alkaline Lake / Peckham’s Range
• Columbia River Treaty (CRT) Heritage signage, involving 13 sites, including the Waldo location.
• Columbia Lake Provincial Park
• F.W. Green Clinic in Cranbrook
• Elk River locations: Hosmer (yaqakqaki kⱡitqⱡiⱡ), Morrissey
(kak̓qaʔit), and Elko (ktunwakanmituk ʔakaⱡha·k)
• Golden Sky Bridge
• Marble Canyon
• Teck (EVR) rest areas
• Akamina – Kishinena Provincial Park
