An initiative at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus has been ongoing for 15 years to incorporate Nsyilxcn names into street signs, supporting two generations of Syilx Okanagan women in reconnecting with their heritage and reclaiming their cultural identity.
The Syilx Okanagan language has been integrated into the campus street names, offering interpretations of names such as Alumni Avenue and University Way. Nsyilxcn is the language of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, whose traditional lands encompass UBCO’s campus.
Recently, a mother-daughter pair, Llana Teichroeb and Kim Kosick, created an online pronunciation guide featuring recordings of themselves articulating various street names, with new QR codes linking to the guide on signposts. This endeavor aims to advance reconciliation efforts and help individuals like Teichroeb, who seek to restore a language that was forcibly taken from her grandmother during the era of residential schools.
Teichroeb emphasized the significance of relearning Nsyilxcn, describing it as a process of rediscovering her ancestral roots and identity. Kosick, who advocated for their joint enrollment in a language course, highlighted the importance of the project in facilitating student engagement with Nsyilxcn through QR code accessibility.
The project not only impacted the two generations directly involved but also extended to the younger family members, as Kosick’s children were exposed to Nsyilxcn during their formative years on campus. The family’s achievement was celebrated when both Kosick and Teichroeb graduated in 2024, accompanied by Kosick’s daughters crossing the stage with them.
Christine Schreyer, the professor overseeing the project, emphasized the potential of QR codes in promoting Nsyilxcn language awareness and facilitating connections with the linguistic heritage rooted in the land. In addition to Nsyilxcn fluency, UBCO now offers courses in other Interior Salish languages, including NłeɁkepmx and St’át’imc, with a focus on language revitalization initiatives.
Looking ahead, Schreyer envisions the sharing of student-produced podcasts on language revitalization as part of ongoing efforts to promote indigenous languages and cultural preservation. The integration of indigenous languages into campus signage serves as a tangible step towards inclusivity and cultural recognition within the academic environment.