Language

The she shashishalhem language is the traditional language spoken by the shíshálh Nation which is a Coast Salish dialect.

In the early 1970s the Elders of the shíshálh Nation started efforts to revive the language with the assistance of Ron Beaumont, a linguist and professor from the University of British Columbia. Together they created a 1000 page plus Sechelt Dictionary, published in 2011 and worked with the shíshálh Education Department to provide on-going translation for curriculum development that includes songs, dances, legends, prayers and classroom instruction. The provincially approved curriculum that is taught at mem7iman Child Development Centre, Kinnikinnick Elementary School, Chatelech Secondary School and Capilano University. The Sechelt Dictionary can be purchased via the Education Department and at the tems swiya Museum. Dictionary cost is $25 for Nation members, $50 for non-Nation members.

Contact the shíshálh Nation

Learn to pronounce the traditional names

Days of the Week
Learning she shashishalhem: Wednesday/Thursday
Learning she shashishalhem: Monday/Tuesday
Learning she shashishalhem: Wednesday/Thursday
Learning she shashishalhem: Friday/Saturday
Learning she shashishalhem: Sunday
Feelings
Learning she shashishalhem: Content/I Don’t Know
Learning she shashishalhem: Good/Mad or Angry
Common Phrases
Learning she shashishalhem: Wash Your Hands/Hurry Up
Learning she shashishalhem: Hungry/Thirsty
Learning she shashishalhem: Good Morning
Months of the Year
Learning she shashishalhem: January
Signs and Locations
ts’uḵw’um (Wilson Creek)
salalus (Madeira Park)
ʔiy shenchu (Trout Lake)
ch’atlich (Sechelt)
sḵelhp (Saltery Bay)
sḵelh (Earl’s Cove)
xwilkway (Halfmoon Bay)
xwesam (Roberts Creek)
ḵalpilin (Pender Harbour)
lekw’emin (Jervis Inlet)
mala (Hind-Smith Lake)
ḵ’els (Anchor Mountain)
x̱enichen (Head of Jervis Inlet)
x̱enichen stulu (x̱enichen creek)
ts’unay stulu (Deserted River)
ts’unay (Deserted Bay)

The Stewardship and Territorial Land Management Division includes the following departments: Rights and Title, Resource Management, and Culture.

Learning the Language

To learn the she shashishalhem language, please listen to our audio files of beginner words and phrases or follow the link to the First Voices website, a site dedicated to the preservation of First Nation’s languages.

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