Whulshootseed dialect facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whulshootseed |
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| Twulshootseed, Southern Lushootseed xʷəlšuʔcid |
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| Native to | United States | |||
| Region | Washington | |||
| Extinct | 2016e25 | |||
| Language family |
Salishan
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Whulshootseed (pronounced xʷəlšuʔcid) was a special Native American language spoken by several tribes in Washington. These tribes included the Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Suquamish, Duwamish, Nisqually, and Squaxin Island people.
Whulshootseed is a southern dialect (a different version) of Lushootseed. Both are part of the larger Coast Salish language group. Sadly, the last person who spoke Whulshootseed as their first language was Ellen Williams, who lived from 1923 to 2016.
Keeping the Language Alive
Even though Whulshootseed no longer has native speakers, people are working hard to keep it from being forgotten.
Language Programs
Whulshootseed was taught at a few places to help new generations learn it:
- The Muckleshoot Language Program at the Muckleshoot Tribal College in Auburn, Washington.
- A local school also offered classes.
- The Puyallup Tribal Language Program helped teach the language too.
Special Video
In 1999, a video called Muckleshoot: a People and Their Language was made. This video showed how the Muckleshoot tribe was working to save and teach the Whulshootseed language. It highlighted their efforts to make sure their language lives on.
See also
