Tribes keep language alive

Recent conference led by the Kalispels draws hundreds of participants

March 14, 2013 in Washington Voices

By Cindy Hval  of The Spokesman-Review

 

The unmistakable melody of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” filled the packed room at the Pavilion at Northern Quest Resort and Casino. A trio of women took the stage, executing the iconic dance moves as the lead singer, sequined hat, one glove and all, belted out the song.

The tune was familiar but the words were not.

That’s because the song was performed in Salish at the Salish Karaoke Contest on March 6 during the Celebrating Salish Conference.

More than 400 tribal members from across the Northwest registered to attend the three-day conference. They had much to celebrate. Just a few years ago, the Salish language languished in near oblivion.

Read more here

Watch the videos; participants from the conference have uploaded videos of the Salish Karaoke Contest from this year and previous years onto YouTube.