Seliš u Ql̓ispe es Yamncuti x̣ʷl̓ Sqlixʷłnk̓ʷul̓mn Salish & Pend d’Oreille Culture Night – Gathering for our Indian ways!
2015 Usšnełxʷ, Snyelmn (Longhouse, St. Ignatius - Flathead Indian Reservation
October 20, 2011 SKC Cultural Building
People gathered
at the Salish Kootenai College Late Louis Caye Sr. Cultural Building for the
first community sharing meeting held by The Salish Institute. The Salish Institute is a newly formed
community based non-profit organization that strives to improve the health,
culture, education and environment of the Salish and Pend d’Oreille
people. The gathering was a celebration
of the organizations creation and a way to get the community involved in the
organization. A talking circle served as
a way for members to express their concerns, as well as share their thoughts and
ideas for future activities to address the needs of the community. Members shared life experiences, songs and
laughter. The atmosphere was one of hope,
understanding and support.
One recurring
theme throughout the meeting was the need to create a focused Salish Language
Learning Plan for the Flathead Reservation.
Lucy Vanderburg said, “You can’t learn your culture without learning
your language.” The Institute truly
believes in programming that has a holistic approach and fully understands the
need to incorporate language throughout all aspects of life. The Institute hopes to work with community
members to develop an intensive Salish language program through a collaborative
approach.
Working with
each other and together is one of the key principles of the Institute. The hope of the Insitute is to build positive
relationships with other organizations that have the same goals and mission. Currently, the Institute has developed
partnerships with the American Indian Institute, the Kalispel Tribe, the
Heartlines Project and the International Centre for Language
Revitalization. By partnering with these
organizations, the Institute is able to offer the best programming possible and
will be able to serve a wider range of people.
Creating a safe
and encouraging place to learn, while creating avenues for strengthening our
tribal people, this is the focus of The Salish Institute. Stem lu l a spu?us. What is in your heart? The Institute wants the community to be able
to answer this question with hopes, dreams and inspiration to help themselves,
help others and help the community.
The Salish Institute's community meeting 10/20/11
Salish Kootenai College Cultural Building