World Caribou Day - 6.6.24
Mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus) occupied the Selkirk Mountains for as long as seventy-five thousand years, it’s only been half a decade since the last of the Southern Selkirk Mountain herd…
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Our Language
Our traditions and our language are what make the Kalispel people who we are today. The language ties us to the land, our relations, and our past.
At the beginning of the millennium, with only a handful of Tribal elders who could speak fluent Salish, we were in danger of losing our native language. In response, we have developed the Kalispel Language Program in an effort to reclaim and preserve our Salish Language, as well as create a new generation of native language speakers.
Our Language
Over the last several years, we have continued to strengthen and expand the program, and we are beginning to see our efforts pay off. Before, Salish was only spoken at cultural events, such as funerals, wakes, memorials, and gatherings, and it was only spoken by our elders. Now, you can hear it everywhere throughout the community. Through our Language efforts, a new generation of Salish speakers has given life to a part of our culture that was once in danger of extinction. We are doing our best to speak our language and teach every day.
Throughout this path, we have made many friends and partners to help us along the way. With the help from Chris Parkin and the Salish School of Spokane, we have created a 3-level language acquisition path that is designed to take a person from “no-salish” to “pretty darn good” in 18 months. We are currently working on a new “Level 4” as we speak. We also have a few language Apps available to supplement classroom instruction. Please visit the APPstore or GOOGLEplay to check them out.
Our Language Staff
| Name | Position | Email Address | Phone Number |
| JR Bluff | Language Director | jrbluff@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7294 |
| Jessie Isadore | Asst. Director | jisadore@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-728 |
| Stan Bluff | Salish Language Advisor | sbluff@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-720 |
| Johnny Arlee | Salish Language Advisor | johnnyarlee@gmail.com | (509) 447-7280 |
| Vickie Leach | K-1 Immersion School Teacher | vleach@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-747 |
| Mia Scott | Immersion School Teacher | mscott@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7286 |
| Todd Ellingburg | Immersion School Administrator/Teacher | tellingburg@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7461 |
| Alisha Athos | K-1 Immersion School Teacher | aathos@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7445 |
| Paul Renaud | JH/HS Immersion School Teacher | prenaud@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7121 |
| Dave Browneagle | JH/HS Immersion Language Teacher | dbrowneagle3@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7487 |
| Jamie Samuels | JH/HS Immersion School Teacher | jsamuels@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7462 |
| Melinda McCormick | Curriculum Expert | mmccormick@kalispeltribe.com | (509) 447-7134 |
| Dakota Littlecrow | Immersion School Teacher | dlittlecrow@kalispeltribe.com |
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sx̣ʷeʔlí spq̓niʔs, means The Camas Month. History and information on what happened during The Camas Month: Camas were examined to see if it was the correct time to dig…
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Why is the month of May called speƛ̓m spq̓niʔs the "Bitterroot Month" ?
speƛ̓m spq̓niʔs, known as “Bitterroot Month”. Bitterroot was dug before it bloomed. This was an important first foods of the people. History and information on what happened during Bitterroot…
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Why is April called sčiyálmn spq̓niʔs "The Buttercup Month"?
sčiyálmn spq̓niʔs, known as "The Buttercup Month," The Buttercup was said to be the first flower that bloomed in the Spring. A sign to the people, that soon the Bitterroots…
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Why is March called k̓ʷsixʷ spq̓niʔs (The Geese's Month) ?
“K̓ʷsixʷ Spq̓niʔs” (The Geese’s Month), known as the spring month. This is the time that the geese are migrating back north from their vacation down south. History/Information on what people…
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Recognizing the Women in our Public Safety Department
In honor of Women’s History Month, we pause to shine a spotlight on the remarkable women within our Kalispel Tribal Public Safety team. These unsung heroes stand at the forefront…
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Why is February called čqʷosqn spq̓niʔs (Coldest Month) ?
The end of “Skʷssús Spq̓niʔs” (January) was a cold and bad month with snow. At the beginning of “Čqʷosqn Spq̓niʔs”, Mothers would tell their children to go outside and say…
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January is Trafficking Awareness Month
Human Trafficking Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation. Many people think that trafficking happens to other people…
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Hunting & Fishing on Kalispel Tribal Property
It has come to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians attention that there has been some confusion regarding hunting and fishing on the Tribe’s lands and issues regarding poaching and…
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Give Survivors Voices: Ribbons Around The Reservation
As we are all very aware, many members of our community, including our family and close friends, have experienced victimization to varying degrees. Grief, abuse, and exploitation have become all…
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Snow Safety for Kids: 5 Things to Know
Don't Let Your Kids Dig Forts in Snowbanks Snowbank tunnels are very dangerous and are not structurally sound. If a fort should collapse, a child may become trapped and…
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The Coldest Month & Curly-Hair Month
During this time, our people, who would have been scattered across the land in various locations, would gather together to form winter camps to help each other survive. These…
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Kalispel Language Survival School
Our traditions and our language are what make the Kalispel people who we are today. The language ties us to the land, our relations, and our past.
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Helping Those on the Front Lines, Stitch by Stitch
Karen Campbell wanted to do what she could to help those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, and now she is doing that, stitch by stitch. Because of…
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Tribal Member Spotlight: Paul Renaud
We lived in Spokane for about 5-6 years and our boys were getting to that age where they were able to open doors, open the fence outside and start walking…
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Better Employment Starts Today
Kalispel Career Training Center adds “Better Employment Starts Today” also known as “BEST” to services under the Kalispel Tribe’s Workforce Enhancement Initiative:
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Camas Early Learning Center
he Camas Early Learning Center provides a fun and safe learning environment for all the kids enrolled. In October, Pre-K, Preschool and Toddler classrooms went to the pumpkin patch at…
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A Salute to our Veterans!
In honor of Veteran’s Day, we’d like to salute the service of our Kalispel Veterans who have fought to protect our country and our way of life. Native Americans…
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Kalispel Brush-1 Hits the Fire Trail Region Wide
On August 6th, firefighters from three different Kalispel Tribe departments were sent, along with their wildland engine, to assist with firefighting efforts on the Crescent Mountain Fire in the Okanogan/Wenatchee…
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Rising Star, Tribal Member Brandon Haugen
Every year, the Spokane Journal of Business releases its list of “Rising Stars”, recognizing emerging business leaders and influencers within the community. This year, Tribal member Brandon Haugen was nominated…
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K9 Unit Visits Camas Center
One of the newest additions to the Kalispel Public Safety Department made an appearance at the Camas Center last Thursday. Along with Officer Clay Pierson, Brandy, a four year Dutch…
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Caribou Recovery Project
The Kalispel Tribe’s Department of Natural Resources is helping to recover the last population of “reindeer” or Caribou in the lower 48 states. Caribou or “reindeer” are part of…
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Wellness and Balance in 2018
New year’s resolutions often include singular goals like losing weight, stopping smoking, or starting an exercise routine. But did you know that 80% of new year’s resolutions fail just a…
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Recap of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Cusick School District
During the month of October, the Kalispel Tribe Victim Assistance Services Program and the Cusick School District worked together in bringing awareness of domestic violence to Cusick School District students…
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Australian Students Visit the Kalispel Reservation
A group of travelers from Australia visited the Kalispel Reservation on November 1 as part of the USA/Aboriginal Cultural Exchange Study Tour. The program students, who are from different…
Read ArticleJune is Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Not restricted to physical abuse, elders are likely targets of financial fraud and identity theft. They are attractive targets to the perpetrators because elders often have disabilities that make them…
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Public Safety Awareness Day
The Kalispel Tribe hosted a Public Safety Awareness Day Wednesday, May 31 at the Powwow Grounds and Camas Center. Students from Cusick, Selkirk, House of the Lord, and Deer Park…
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