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Salish language camp growth reflects increasing interest

By Maggie Plummer

ST. IGNATIUS - "We can't say often enough how important our tribal elders are."

Steven Smallsalmon repaired his late father's buffalo headdress during last week's Salish Language Camp (Maggie Plummer photo)

That was one of the things that Salish Language Camp co-organizer Shirley Trahan had to say in an interview at the camp last Thursday afternoon.

"We're grateful and appreciative to have the elders we have," she commented. "Their knowledge and wisdom are so important. We love them. Being around them helps us keep going."

There were many generations at the annual camp together, Shirley added. "It's a good feeling."

Her six-week-old great granddaughter, Ayden Suset Hawk Trahan, was the youngest one there; Alice Nenemay Camel was the eldest camper.

"It was really good this year," Shirley said, adding that a total of 110 people participated in the camp and about 35 of them were youngsters who attended the whole week.

"We had way more kids from the beginning," Shirley said. "Most of the kids were under 12. They were from Arlee, St. Ignatius, Ronan, Pablo and Polson. We also had one kid from Plains."

In other words, it's an encouraging trend.

Higher attendance numbers for this year's camp, which is held in the Longhouse, reflects more interest in learning Salish, Shirley and others commented. "It's very uplifting to see all the children, and most have an adult with them," she added.

Charlie Quequesah was one of the many language teachers helping with last week's Salish Language Camp in St. Ignatius (Maggie Plummer photo)

"This time we concentrated more on the Salish language," she explained. "Once they know the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), that opens up more self-teaching, and they can read what's written or what's being said."

On Thursday afternoon, Charlie Quequesah was teaching Salish to the camp's older students in the Longhouse. He and many of the other Salish teachers at the camp are from the Salish Kootenai College Native American Language Teacher Training Institute.

Charlie led the group in a discussion about stickgame, which included learning how to say things like "he skunked us" in Salish.

The camp's younger participants were outside the Longhouse working in groups with a team of teachers from the SKC teacher training institute. On that teaching team were: April Charlo, Mary Matt, Linda Ferris, Echo Brown, Alanna McClure, and Raelynn Charlo.

Shirley Trahan's grand-daughter, Jaidyn Trahan, 11, took careful notes in Salish during a language class (Maggie Plummer photo)

According to Shirley, they taught using new methods, including "Total Physical Response Through Storytelling" or TPRS.

Institute director Josh Brown, who attended the camp part of the time, explained that they also used a lot of songs written in Salish, "and games we've developed at the institute."

Shirley emphasized what a great help the teachers from the institute are: "That help is appreciated; their knowledge of the language is appreciated."

Each day of the camp, crafts began at about 2 or 2:30 in the afternoon, with elders instructing the sessions.

Campers made chokers, little buckskin pouches, rag dolls, bustles, headdresses, breastplates, ribbon shirts, and jewelry.

People were working hard, trying to get their projects finished in time to wear in this week's powwow.

Steven Smallsalmon was busy making a bustle and repairing a buffalo headdress that belonged to his father, Mitch Smallsalmon, and hadn't been worn since Mitch died about 30 years ago. Steven said he had to re-attach one of the horns to the white ermine headdress.

He also said if he got it finished in time, he was planning to wear the headdress during this week's Arlee powwow. Last Thursday he was still adding beads and bells and commented that he had a ways to go.

Louise and Roger Shourds were working on his breastplate, in the special colors of the Vietnam Service Medal, for the veterans' honoring during the Arlee celebration. Originally, Pete Phillips made it for Roger.

Camp organizers could use more ideas for what the men traditionally did craftwise, according to Shirley. People with ideas or suggestions may contact her or Tony Incashola at the Salish-Pend d'Oreille Culture Committee office.

Each day the campers quit at about 4 or 4:30. Then the cooks had a meal ready at 5 p.m. each day. The camp provided three meals each day.

After supper, it was time to go home. "People are ready to go home and crash by the end of the day," Shirley said.

She noted that several tribal departments - Credit, Preservation, Natural Resources, and Early Childhood Services - helped with the camp. "We're very grateful for their help," Shirley said. "Also, some took time off their jobs to attend the camp."