Learning Secwepemctsín
Weyt-kp and welcome
As part of TRU's commitment to truth and reconciliation, we encourage everyone to learn the languages of the region. Several courses and resources are available.
Please learn about Secwépemc culture and perhaps a few more words of Secwepemctsín than you knew before; and while you are at it, please consider learning about other Indigenous peoples within and beyond the regions TRU serves.
— Brett Fairbairn, President and Vice-Chancellor
Indigenous nations in the TRU service area
TRU's Kamloops campus is on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc territory while the Williams Lake campus is on T’exelc (Williams Lake Indian Band) territory within Secwepemcúl’ecw. Our region includes the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot’in, Dakelh and Syilx.
Learn Secwepemctsín online
This is online tool introduces you to Secwepemctsín within Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc territory). These four lessons include self-directed activities, videos and phonetic translations.
- Lesson 1: Introduce yourself in Secwepemctsín
- Lesson 2: Secwépemc alphabet
- Lesson 3: Secwépemc greetings and common phrases
- Lesson 4: Secwepemctsín practice
Learn the alphabet
Learn Secwepemctsín with Ted Gottfriedson as he breaks down how to pronounce letters and words.
Take a TRU course
To take a deeper dive into Secwepemctsín, TRU offers a variety of Secwépemc language courses designed to:
- Reinforce the knowledge and understanding of Secwépemc language
- Enhance the knowledge and understanding of Secwépemc culture
- Teach the Secwépemc language and culture to future generations
Delivered on campus and in person, some of these courses include:
- FNLG 1000: Introduction to First Nations Language
- FNLG 0500: First Nations Language – Secwépemc 1
- FNLG 2000: First Nations Language Structure and Analysis 1
Join instructor Marie Sandy
Learn Secwepemctsín this summer in an immersive program. There are no prerequisite courses, but at least 10 people are needed to sign up by mid-May to ensure the course goes ahead. Register now for FNLG 1010-01 First Nations Immersion — Secwepemctsín 1, and FNLG 1110-01 First Nations Immersion - Secwepemctsín 2.
Course RegistrationExplore these resources
First Voices is a good guide for key words, phrases, songs, stories and the alphabet for Canada’s Indigenous languages, including Secwepemctsín.
To hear and learn how to pronounce a name of a Secwépemc community, the Secwépemc Communities Pronunciations page is a great resource.
Indigenous TRU is the heart of Indigenous initiatives and resources on campus. It includes information about Indigenous staff, faculty, programs, projects, news and events, and the Office of Indigenous Education.
2024 Secwépemc calendar
Download the Secwépemc calendar and learn words for the months and days.
A paper version can be ordered from Print Services.