SD83 Embraces New Secwépemctsín Name

K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw, meaning “we are all connected (people, animals, sky, land, and water) on Secwépemc land,” will replace “North Okanagan-Shuswap” in the District’s name.

At the May 2024 Regular Board meeting, Darrell Jones, Chair of the Quelmúcw Education Council, presented a briefing note requesting that the name of the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District be changed to a Sewépemctsin word or phrase. The Board unanimously supported the recommendation and asked the Quelmúcw Education Council to consult with their communities, Sewépemctsin language speakers, and Knowledge Keepers.

At the September 2024 Regular Board meeting, in a heartfelt presentation, Darrell Jones, on behalf of the Quelmúcw Education Council, gifted a new name to the Board. Elder Lucy Williams and Jones shared the name and elaborated on its significance, emphasizing the cultural and historical importance it holds for the Secwépemc community.

Jones explained that one challenge in selecting the name was the existence of three distinct Secwépemctsín dialects. In SD83, Adams Lake Indian Band, Neskonlith Indian Band, and Skwlāx te Secwepemcu’lecw use the Secwépemctsín Eastern dialect, while Splatsin uses the Splatsin Secwépemctsín dialect. However, the language speakers and Knowledge Keepers prioritized collaboration over choosing one dialect. The District name, now in two different dialects, respresents this compromise.  

“K̓wsaltktnéws”, initially proposed by Splatsin language speaker Donna Antoine, is in the Splatsin Secwépemctsín dialect. The rest of the phrase, “ne Secwepemcúl’ecw” is in the Secwépemctsín Eastern dialect.   “K̓wsaltktnéws” means that “we are all connected”, while “ne Secwepemcúl’ecw” is “on Secwepemc land”.  It is pronounced K̓wsaltktnéws (KWA-SEELT-K-NAWS) ne Secwepemcúl’ecw (NAY SUH-KWEP-MUK-OO-LOO).

Director of Instruction (Indigenous Education), Chelsea Prince, added that the new name serves as an active land acknowledgment, symbolizing SD83’s relationship with and commitment to working with local First Nations communities. It also reflects the imagery in the new District logo.

This significant change will require learning and adjustment, particularly in the pronunciation and use the new name. Suggested initiatives include:

• An information campaign, including District rebranding, pronunciation videos on the District and school websites, QR codes linking to pronunciation guides, and media outreach through newspaper articles and radio interviews.
• Public communication from the District about the name change. 
• A celebration of this historic moment with a ceremony involving the Quelmúcw Education Council, Chiefs and Council members, School Board Trustees, and the District Leadership Team.

Additional information is available in the School District No. 83 Name Change Media Release dated October 16, 2024.