Millie Thrasher sits in her home in Paulatuk, N.W.T., poring over an orange Sallirmiutun dictionary, locating the translation of the term “mother” on page 80. She reads out “Amaamak” and struggles a bit to articulate the Inuvialuktun dialect’s phrase for “he sent it by my mother” in her own language. Thrasher acknowledges the challenge of recalling and pronouncing words correctly, emphasizing the importance of precise pronunciation.
Among the three Inuvialuktun dialects, Sallirmiutun is spoken by residents in the coastal N.W.T. communities of Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, and Tuktoyaktuk. According to the N.W.T. Bureau of Statistics, around 411 individuals can communicate in Inuvialuktun, with an estimated 200 speakers of the Sallirmiutun dialect. Thrasher devotes time to practicing the language independently, expressing her love for Inuvialuktun but lamenting the diminishing number of fluent speakers due to the passing of elders.
In Paulatuk, Lily-Ann Green, another elder, fears the loss of their language, highlighting the importance of incorporating language teachings at home and in schools to preserve their cultural heritage. Sallirmiutun is integrated into the curriculum at Angik School in Paulatuk, aiming to instill the language in students from every grade level.
In Tuktoyaktuk, efforts to revitalize Sallirmiutun have gained momentum through regular classes held in a traditional sod house, fostering a conducive environment for learning. Darrel Nasogaluak, chair of the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, acknowledges the positive impact of the sod house gatherings in promoting language retention among elders and younger community members.
Emily Angulalik, the executive director of the Kitikmeot Heritage Society, advocates for immersive language learning experiences, emphasizing the value of spending time with fluent speakers and engaging in cultural activities. Green and Thrasher in Paulatuk express their determination to seek additional support and funding for language revitalization efforts, emphasizing the necessity of perseverance in preserving their linguistic heritage.
