User:Jshen246/Dakelh

Other Language Family Neighbors:

 * East: Cree (Algonquian language)
 * Southeast: Shuswap (Salishan language)
 * West: Gitksan and Nisga'a (Tsimshianic language)
 * South: Lillbet (Salishan language)

Names for "Dakelh" as spoken by other dialects:
To the Dakelh people of British Columbia, their language may be referred to as "Dakelh" or by its compound word "Dakelhghynek", "Dakelhghunik" (Stellako dialect), and "Dakelhghuni" (Nak'albun/Dzinghubun dialect).

Language connection to heritage and cultural identity.
In the traditions of the First Nations Peoples, they were taught within their homes and families the cultural teachings of their ancestors and recognition of their heritage identity. They were taught to appreciate and recognize where they came from and their connections to all living things and the land.

Oral traditions, songs, and dance performance.
Oral traditions through stories, songs, and dance performance helps maintain a record of cultures presented throughout the history and heritage of the Indigenous ancestors. In a sense, oral traditions is the recording and documenting of the Indigenous histories of their ancestors. These forms of oral traditions were passed down and preserved through the elders and passed down and told to the next generation. The Dakelh language was used in the stories/lessons told, songs sung, and songs performed by dancers. For instance, within the Nadleh Whut'en Traditional Performers dance to the songs sung according to the Balhats System of each of the 5 clans (Lhtseh Yoo, Duntem Yoo, Ihtsumus Yoo, Tsa Yoo).

Traditional Knowledge.
Plant harvesting and fishing is an important aspect to the traditional knowledge of the Dakelh people. Plants were used as sacred medicines to treat a variety of common illnesses. For example, Willow bark (treated fevers), Bear berries (treated open sores), and Yarrow leaves (relieved toothaches and rheumatism).

Fishing is another common traditional knowledge known by the Dakelh people. The traditional economy of the Dakelh people was fishing (spearing) of salmon and lake fish. These fishing sites varied accordingly to each clan, and resided close to rivers and lakes known for the frequent residing of salmon.

Causes of Endangerment:
There is no one existing cause of endangerment for any of the Aboriginal Languages as it is that many factors contribute to the threat against their vitality.

Residential School System in Canada.
The residential school system (1880s-1997) was created in an attempt to assimilate the Indigenous children into the society of European-Canadian culture. The main goal was to completely strip off their Indigenous identity, their traditional beliefs and culture. Children of Indigenous families were taken away from their home and forced into schools governed by the Christian Church and Canadian government. They were not allowed to speak their first language (heritage language), but were taught to only speak English or French. Today, many survivors of the residential school system refuse to speak their heritage language due to the horrific trauma and history of events that occurred within that environment.

Economic and Cultural Pressures.
At the start of early 1800s, the arrival of the first European settlers entered the Dakelh territory as fur traders of the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company. They soon began trading with the Dakelh people for hides, meats and dried fruit along the coastal trade route. But as time went on, the need to communicate in English increased as more settlers began entering the territory. Over the years, English has developed its importance as the language of education, social media, as well as economic business.

Presently, the majority of the worlds population has shifted and risen towards a dominant language that is culturally and economically favored within that region. For example, English has been the dominant language in many countries for its popularity in entertainment, socializations, career, etc.

It is the majority of the younger generations that had shown preference for learning in the English language. As a result, the language becomes endangered as only few elders truly know their heritage language fluently.

Spread of Disease.
As the continuation of Europeans began settling into the Dakelh territories, they also brought over new, foreign diseases, such as the influenza, measles, and small pox. This has resulted in many deaths and reduced the population significantly of the Dakelh people. As more of the Dakelh people began succumbing to the exposure of these new diseases, their language dies along side them.