Wixa̱ n's 'Wi'la Ḵ̓aḵ̓ut̕łap̓a: let’s learn together! The beautiful chaos of family learning in ancestral language reclaimation.
Date
2026
Authors
Willie, Ferrin Yola
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Abstract
'Masi'da sinat (what is the purpose)? The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the journey of learning and reclaiming ancestral language as a household family.
G̱wayi'le'las (our Bak̕wam ways of doing things) - The methodology used in this research was a study of myself in collaboration with yuda̱xwa̱n sasa̱m (my three children) focusing on ḵ'a̱t̓ła (6) years of a simultaneous active Bak̕wa̱mk̓ala learning during my PhD program from 2019 to 2025. My work is an honoring of Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw ways of being and utilizing autoethnography, storying and storywork. I follow the Tsepila (ceremonial dance apron making process) as a framework for this dissertation and align each step with Bak̕wa̱mk̓ala concepts that encompass my research topics. This includes: 1) building a foundational base (Alixwa̱la – preparing to leave on a journey), 2) Ties connecting Tsep to łi'laxwalłi'laxwa̱la (loved ones) - (Łaxwe'gila - gathering strength), 3) design related to family story (Ḵ̓aḵ̓ut̕łap̓a (learning together) and Sa̱nala (to be whole), 4) personalized adornments (buttons, beads, bells etc. (Ugwa̱ḵała - different), and 5) use of the Tsep in ceremony (Hase' gax̱a̱n – love gift/breath of life). I have also included: ḵ̓ina̱mida k̓ik̓ata̱'makw (many photos), sa̱pilabidu (small movies/videos), dedications to each of x̱a̱n sasa̱m (my children) and the creation of ceremonial items as part of this research process.
Ḵ̓axda̱n (I found). Key findings/highlights - Despite the various challenges in learning and reclaiming an endangered coastal language it has proven to be an incredibly restorative experience for myself. While the longer-term impacts for x̱a̱n sasa̱m remain to be seen, there are benefits already showing through x̱a̱n sasa̱m and experienced by myself and others connected to this research. The biggest of these are the intergenerational healing benefits of reclaiming x̱a̱n's Bak̕wa̱mk̓ala.
Lutsa̱md (to uncover something). Implications - based on this research, I observed and experienced the undertaking of reclaiming ancestral language as a worthwhile endeavour with many benefits for a family to learn collaboratively. It is the greatest source of łaxwe'gila (strength gathering) I have experienced in my lifetime. I hope this research will contribute to the restoration and collective wellness of our nation and other Indigenous people and their languages.
Łaxwa̱lap̓a łi'laxwa̱la – love each other loved ones.
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Keywords
Ancestral language reclaimation, family-based learning, Kwakwaka'wakw, Bakwamkala/Kwak'wala, Healing, Indigenous language revitalization, language reclamation, Indigenous