She shashishalhem Lessons

The she shashishalhem language is a Coast Salish Dialect spoken by the shishalh people. In the early 1970s the Elders of the shishalh nation began their journey to revive the she shashishalh language with the assistance of Ronald C.  Beaumont, a linguist and professor from the University of British Columbia.

The Sechelt Language lesson book was published in 1978.  The purpose of the book was to assist with the launch of the shishalh Nation and School District 46 Native Environmental School ( NES) initiative located at the shishalh Nation village site of Tsunay (Deserted Bay), Jervis Inlet. The NES school was in operation from 1977 - 1983.

Over the last 40 years Ron and the Elders have continued to provide invaluable translation of over 10,000 words that has just been published into a new Dictionary that was launched on October 6th 2011 as part of the shishalh Nation 25th year of Self Government Celebrations. Ron and the Elders have worked closely with the shishalh Nation Education Department staff to provide on-going translation for curriculum development that include: songs, dances, legends, prayers and classroom instruction.

K-12 Program

Our she shashishalhem Language is an accredited program through the Ministry of Education and is recognized a second language for graduation requirements.  Our program in the public school is offered from  K -12. In addition we have a strong language nest program in our Mom ay mon Childcare Facility for ages 3 & 4 that is open to all residents on the Sunshine Coast.

The links below provide a series of digital MP3 downloads of she shashishalhem words

High School Student Lessons


Intermediate Students Lessons

Primary Students Lessons are currently being transferred to digital lessons and will be available shortly. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Adult Program

Also, a she shashishalhem program referred to as the Master Apprentice Program (MAP) has been completed.  This full immersion program was designed to help build fluency in she shashishalhem for our community members. The pilot project ran from September 2010 through March 2011. The Program was evaluated and recommended to continue and is expected to commence in early 2012. For further information please contact our office and watch for postings.

The link below provides a series of digital MP3 downloads of she shashishalhem words.

Adult Lessons

she shashishalhem Phrases

To assist with communication we have provided a number of phrases that you  can use in everyday conversation when speaking our language.  


The link below provides a series of digital MP3 downloads of she shashishalhem phrases.

1. Sechelt - shishalh
2. Welcome - ?imash ?imash
3. Come in - mi la
4. Good Morning - ?iy te kwiy kwiy
5. How are you - kw a chxw ?t ?iy
6. I am very good - ?iy mut
7. Thank you (said to one person) - ?ul nu msh chxw
8. Thank you (said to group) - ?ul nu msh chalap
9. Good bye (said to one person) - tsu la
10. I am going - tsu chen skwa

Everyday Conversation

First Voices Language Lesson Tutorials

We are very pleased to announce our newest language program that our staff have been developing on the First Voices Website. This website host First Nation language lessons celebrating Language Legacies and indigenous cultures.

The link below provides the website to view the lessons

http://www.firstvoices.com/en/she-shashishalhem/welcome

She shashishalhem Dictionary

Dictionary is on sale at the Sechelt Nation Education Department

The Dictionary  prices are:

Sechelt Band member $25.00
Non-Band member             $50.00+hst

Beverly Craigan, Education Administrative Assistant
yalxwemult, Lenora Joe
Director of Education, Culture & Recreation
Sechelt Indian Band
Box 740, Sechelt BC, V0N 3A0
ph: 604-885-6016 Fax: 604-885-6071
toll free: 1-866-885-2275
http://www.secheltnation.ca
http://www.firstvoices.ca/en/she-shashishalhem
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