Ichishkíin: Áw iwa skúulit (Let’s Learn)

West Valley’s Title VI funds are helping to educate students about the culture, traditions, and language of the Yakama Nation, offering students the opportunity to learn Ichishkíin through the Native American Club. 

Ichishkíin is the native language of the Columbia River Plateau spoken throughout southern Washington, northern Oregon, and southwestern Idaho. UNESCO World Heritage Center has categorized the language as “critically endangered,” meaning the majority of speakers of the language are grandparents or older, and they speak the language partially or rarely. So Ichishkíin language instruction at the West Valley Mid-Level Campus not only helps connect students with Native culture; it strengthens important ties to the people, history, and community of our region. 

In the afterschool club, students learn basic vocabulary like Áay for Hello and Síks meaning Friend. They practice common phrases and conversational elements of the language through interactive lessons. The instruction emphasizes practical use and cultural context, helping students understand words and the worldview embedded in the language. 

West Valley is proud to offer clubs and programs that build connection and foster understanding among all its students. Step by step, programs like these help us make the promises of a culture of safety and belonging from our Strategic Plan a reality. 

Let’s learn Áw iwa skúulit (“OW ee-wah SKÓO-leet”)

Pronounced like:

Áw    “ow”

iwa   “ee-wah”

skúulit  “skóo-leet”  (“skú” like in “school and a long “ee” like in see)