Interior Salish languages facts for kids

The Interior Salish languages are a group of languages spoken by Indigenous peoples in parts of North America. They are one of the two main branches of the Salishan language family. The other main group is called Coast Salish.

These languages are divided into two smaller groups: Northern and Southern. The first Salishan people that American explorers met were the Flathead people. They spoke an Interior Salish language and lived in the easternmost part of the group's territory.

Languages of the Interior Salish Family

The Interior Salish language family includes several distinct languages. They are grouped into Northern and Southern branches.

Northern Interior Salish Languages

• Shuswap (also known as Secwepemctsín)
• Lillooet (also known as St̓át̓imcets)
• Thompson River Salish (also known as Nlakaʼpamux)

Southern Interior Salish Languages

• Coeur d’Alene (also known as Snchitsuʼumshtsn)
• Columbia-Moses (also known as Nxaʔamxcín)
• Colville-Okanagan (also known as Nsilxcín)
• Montana Salish (which includes Spokane-Kalispel-Flathead)

The Southern Interior Salish languages have many similar sounds. However, they also have differences in how vowels and consonants are pronounced.

Peoples Who Speak Interior Salish Languages

Many different Indigenous groups speak or traditionally spoke Interior Salish languages. These groups live across a wide area.

Northern Interior Salish Peoples

• Secwepemc, also known as Shuswap, speak the Shuswap language.
• St̓át̓imc, also known as Lillooet, speak the Lillooet language.
• Nlaka'pamux, also known as Thompson River Salish, speak the Thompson language.

Central Interior Salish Peoples

• The Colville, Sinixt (Lakes Band), Sanpoil, Okanagan, and Methow peoples all speak the Nxsəlxcin language.

Eastern Interior Salish Peoples

• The Spokane, Kalispel, and Flathead peoples speak the Montana Salish language. This group includes the Bitterroot people.

Southern Interior Salish Peoples

• The Sinkiuse-Columbia, Entiat, Wenatchi, and Chelan peoples all speak the Columbia-Moses language.
• The Coeur d'Alene people speak the Coeur d'Alene language.

Western Interior Salish Peoples

• The Coast Salish languages are a separate group. They are spoken by over 30 different Salishan-speaking groups in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn more about them at Coast Salish languages.

Many people who speak or are learning these languages live near the city of Spokane. They often gather at the Celebrating Salish Conference. The Kalispel Tribe hosts this conference.

See also

In Spanish: Lenguas salish del interior para niños

• Coast Salish languages