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Sm'algya̱x

Gits’ilaasü (Kitselas), Gits’mḵ’eelm (Kitsumkalum) as well as by Ts’msyen people who live in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Alaska and beyond.

 

We would like to acknowledge and honour the dedication of our valued Ts’msyen language and culture experts and educators who have contributed to keeping our language alive over many years past, present and future. 

 

Our Ts’msyen language is in serious decline due to the oppressive policies of the churches and government since the eighteen hundreds. Colonization has had a devastating impact on our culture, language and people, and still continues to do so. Most of our speakers are over seventy. Our elders and leaders strongly believe that it is critical to do everything that can be done to save our Sm’algya̱x language. Sm’algya̱x language, culture and spirituality go hand in hand and connect us to our territory. We know for a fact that Sm’algya̱x is a critical vehicle to instill cultural pride and identity in our young people.  We celebrate the language learning successes of our children and youth, which they are able to confidently share with their families and communities.  

 

Our Ts’msyen chiefs, matriarchs, elders, leaders, parents and youth have supported the teaching of Sm’algya̱x in our public schools in School District 52 from kindergarten to grade twelve for all learners since 1997. Previous to that, Sm’algya̱x was offered in three of our Ts’msyen community schools for well over 30 years.  Community-based adult Sm’algya̱x learning continues to take place in Prince Rupert and other villages.

 

Our Sm’algya̱x program is one of the few First Nations language programs in British Columbia that has been supported by sustained, long-term curriculum and program development. Our program was one of the first in B.C. to develop an Integrated Resource Package (IRP), which made it possible for the language to be an accredited part of the school curriculum. Offering a strong Sm’algya̱x program is a goal of our Aboriginal Education Council and is supported by our School District Board of Education.  We also acknowledge that we continue to have a long way to go.  At this time the Sm’algya̱x program is developing a strong sense of pride in our learners.  As the program currently is offered it does not have the capacity to build Sm’algya̱x fluency due to the limited instructional time available.  The continuing impact of colonization is that today’s learners of Sm’algya̱x have few opportunities to hear our language spoken in the home and in the community. The development and the delivery of our Sm’algya̱x program is guided by our Ts’msyen Language Authority and our Sm’algya̱x Committee.


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Sm'algya̱x Teachers

Alex Campbell

Fluent Sm’algya̱x Teacher

Ben Spencer

Fluent Sm’algya̱x Teacher

Missy Trimble

Sm’algya̱x Classroom Teacher

Laura Leask

Sm’algya̱x Classroom Teacher

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Stephanie Fisher

Sm’algya̱x Educational Assistant

Kelli Clifton

Sm’algya̱x Classroom Teacher

Theresa Lowther

Fluent Sm’algya̱x  Teacher

(retired)

Sm’algya̱x is the language spoken by the Ts’msyen people who have lived for thousands of years on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Our Sm’algya̱x language is the foundation of who we are as Ts’msyen people.  Sm’algya̱x is spoken by people from our Ts’msyen communities of Ma̱xÅ‚axaaÅ‚a (Metlakatla), TxaÅ‚giiw (Hartley Bay), La̱x  Kw’alaams (Port Simpson), GitxaaÅ‚a (La̱x klan), Gidasdzuu (Klemtu),

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Lorraine Green

Sm’algya̱x Classroom Teacher

Learn Sm'algya̱x Online!

We are excited to announce the release of an online Sm'algyax course. Sign up for a free user account and start learning today!

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www.bit.ly/fn-lp

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First Voices Ts’msyen Sm’algya̱x Website and App

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Visit the newest home for the Ts'msyen Sm’algya̱x language! On our website you will find a dictionary, stories, songs, games and more. This is a living resource and will grow over time. We have also recently launched the App version of the dictionary. Go to the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and search ’smalgyax’ to download it for free!

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Sm’algya̱x for SD52 and Beyond Facebook Page

Join our community of learners on our Facebook page, "Sm’algya̱x for SD52 and Beyond". This page started in April of 2020, when Covid took students out of the classrooms, in hopes of reaching students in SD52 and beyond. 

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There are a wide range of posts on different topics such as the changing seasons, holidays, songs, stories, adaawx, flashcard movies, weather reports, archive footage and so much more! 

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Join us today!

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