The Okanagan language, also known as Syilx, is a Salishan language spoken in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. It is closely related to the Spokane and Colville-Okanagan languages. According to the 2016 census, there are 1,215 Okanagan speakers in Canada.
The Okanagan people have lived in the interior of British Columbia for thousands of years. The name “Okanagan” comes from the Salishan word for “people of the place of the arrow Lakes.” The Okanagan language is part of the Salishan family of languages, which includes over 30 languages spoken in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
The Okanagan language is endangered, with only a few hundred speakers remaining. However, there are efforts underway to revitalize the language, including teaching it in schools and creating Okanagan-language media.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Okanagan language, check out these resources:
The Okanagan Language Society – http://www.okanaganlanguagesociety.org
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council – http://www.fpcc.ca/language/syilx-okanagan/
The Okanagan Nation Alliance – http://www.ona.bc.ca