History

Background of the Heiltsuk Language

Haíɫzaqvḷa – speaking the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) language

5 dialects

Wúyalitx̌v – The Outside People   |  Qvúqvay̓aítx̌v – The calm water people   |  Wuíƛ̓ítx̌v – The inside people   |  Yísdáitx̌v – people of Yisda   |  X̌áix̌áis – Down river or north

1820 – 1960

Due to cultural genocide (1820 – 1960) the natural form of language transition came to a halt

1820 – 1960

1960

Haíɫzaqvḷa (speaking the Haíɫzaqv language) survived during the time of cultural prohibition through the deep commitment of elders and community members

1960

1970

Heiltsuk Tribal Council hired Linguist: John Rath worked with fluent speakers and working out of the Cultural Center developed a written system, dictionary and many learning

1970

1978

Bella Bella Community School, Haíɫzaqvḷa, formal part of school curriculum

1978

1997

Waglisla Adult Learning Center, Haíɫzaqvḷa, formal part of school curriculum

1997

1999

Q̓áq̓auáilás – Heiltsuk House of Learning (Daycare) Include Haíɫzaqvḷa in 0 – 6 program

1999

2002

Heiltsuk Kaxla Society include Haíɫzaqvḷa in 0-6 programs

2002

2003

Qqs Projects Society (Kvai Summer Camps) include Haíɫzaqvḷa in 0-6 programs

2003

2009

Hailika’as Heiltsuk Health Center: include Haíɫzaqvḷa in 0-6 programs

2009

2017

Comprehensive baseline study completed September 2017 to assess current language status: 2 percent of the Heiltsuk population are fluent speakers

Haíɫzaqvḷa Authority Board reactivated with new membership

2017

2018

Heiltsuk Tribal Council Mandate – the ultimate jurisdiction over haíɫzaqvḷa lays with the Haíɫzaqvḷa Authority Board

Heiltsuk Revitalization Coordinator hired to oversee all Haíɫzaqvḷa Revitalization Initiatives

2018

2019

Heiltsuk and Canada signed a Haíɫcístut Incremental House Post Agreement confirming federal investments in complementary activities on which Language & Preservation was included
2019

2019/20

Haíɫzaqvḷa Revitalization Manager hired

Federal: Haíɫcístut Language House Post Projects 401 to 408 commence

2019/20

2020/21

Provincial: Haíɫcístut Language House Post Project 450 – 459 commence
2020/21
HEILTSUK REVITALIZATION

P.O. Box 880, 67 Wabalisla Street, Bella Bella B.C. V0T 1Z0

info@heiltsukrevitalization.com

1 250 957 2381 Ext 702

Watch us on Youtube
© 2022 Heiltsuk Revitalization. All rights reserved.
Scroll to Top