Jay Powell interviewed by Sam Sullivan in Chinook Wawa
Jay Powell is the last remaining speaker of Chinook Wawa in British Columbia who learned it from native elders. He is inspiring other British Columbians to revive this important language as a reminder of our past and in inspiration for our future.
In this video, one of Jay's students, Sam Sullivan, interviews him about the language.
Elders speaking Chinook Wawa in British Columbia
Can You Speak British Columbian?
Chinook Wawa is linked with the history of British Columbia. We might even call one form of it British Columbian.
James Cook and his midshipman George Vancouver sojourned at Nootka Sound. Their Nuuchahnulth word lists became a Nootka Jargon that spread through the Maritime Fur Trade.
Supported by Chief Concomly and the Chinook Nation, Fort George became the Canadian depot for Columbia furs. French-speaking traders married into Chinook families and learned a Broken Chinook.