Cultural knowledge on the Flathead Indian Reservation is at a critical state. our knowledge keepers are aging quickly and when we lose them we are at risk of losing the knowledge they hold. The CALS Department is part of numerous efforts to re-vitalize the Séliš-Ql̓ispé language and cultures have been underway for many years within institutions such as SKC, the Séliš-Ql̓ispé (SQCC) Culture Committee, Two Eagle River School, Nk̓ʷusm Salish Language School. We intend to provide this program to as many students and/or community members as possible to ensure the cultures and language of the Séliš and Ql̓ispé peoples thrive in the future.
* The Kootenai Culture Committee is and will continue to assist in guiding the Kootenai Track of the Culture and Language Program, which will be available as they deem appropriate.
Programs in this Department
CC Intensive Salish Language
The purpose of the Certificate of Completion in Salish Language is to prepare and graduate professionals who are working towards fluency in the Salish language and demonstrate the ability to teach that language. This program is designed to meet the critical need for Native language speakers, who may or may not choose to pursue the associate’s degree in Native Language Teacher Education.
Intensive Salish Language Certificate of Completion Curriculum
Candidates who earn the Certificate of Completion will have the opportunity to apply for Class 7 Certification through the Montana Office of Public Instruction, and to work as Salish Language Teachers in Native language immersion schools, public school classrooms (P-12), and/or other private schools in which a Class 7 Certification meets the qualifications. Successful Certificate of Completion graduates may choose to continue their education to earn an Associate degree in Native Language Teacher Education, and/or a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education P-3 or Elementary Education.
Upon completion of the Certificate of Completion in Salish Language, candidates will demonstrate the following skills, dispositions, and knowledge in relation to the principles:
- Demonstrate proficiency communicating through listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Salish and English.
- Apply knowledge and understanding of the Salish history and culture considering political, social, economic, and sovereign factors.
- Establish and apply an understanding of intercultural competency, including tribal values, to ensure appropriate ways of being and building respectful relationships within language learning and immersion settings.
- SKC requires students to complete a writing and math assessment in order to get them started in the correct English and Math courses.
- Students must submit to a federal background check for all Education programs.
- Students must receive a “C” or better in all required courses, and a “B” or better in NASL coursework, while maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.5 to graduate.
Program Contacts
Michael Munson
michael_munson@skc.edu
406-275-4952
Tim Ryan
tim_ryan@skc.edu
406-275-4918
Three Woodcocks Bldg
Rm 115
Certificate Intensive Salish Language - CALS Track
The purpose of the Certificate of Completion in Salish Language is to prepare and graduate professionals who are working towards fluency in the Salish language and meet the critical need for Native language speakers, especially those who are interested in pursuing the Culture and Language Studies program, which aims to grow the number of highly skilled cultural artists, knowledge keepers, and/or language speakers.
Intensive Salish Language Certificate - CALS Track Curriculum
Successful completers of the Certificate of Completion in Intensive Salish Language - CALS Track may choose to continue their education to earn an Associate of Science in Culture and Language Studies. They may also be eligible to work as skilled language speakers in tribal and educational contexts.
Upon completion of the Certificate of Completion in Salish Language, candidates will demonstrate the following skills, dispositions, and knowledge in relation to the principles:
- Demonstrate proficiency communicating through listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Salish and English.
- Apply knowledge and understanding of the Salish history and culture considering political, social, economic, and sovereign factors.
- Establish and apply an understanding of intercultural competency, including tribal values, to ensure appropriate ways of being and building respectful relationships within language learning and immersion settings.
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Students must receive a “C” or better in all required courses, and a “B” or better in NASL coursework, while maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.5 to graduate.
Program Contacts
Michael Munson
michael_munson@skc.edu
406-275-4952
Tim Ryan
tim_ryan@skc.edu
406-275-4918
Three Woodcocks Bldg
Rm 115
BS Séliš and Ql̓ispe Culture and Language Studies
The overall goal of the CALS Program, is to encourage and support the development and implementation of an academic program(s) that use Sqelixʷ educational practices to vitalize, perpetuate, and pervasively integrate our Séliš and Ql̓ispe cultural arts, worldviews, and languages; and, grow the number of highly skilled cultural artists, knowledge keepers, and/or language speakers. We aim to provide this program to as many students and/or community members as possible, but especially to support and graduate cohorts of three to five focused apprentices beginning the fourth year of program implementation.
Séliš and Ql̓ispe Culture and Language Studies Bachelor of Science Curriculum
Successful completers of the Certificate of Completion in Intensive Salish Language may choose to continue their education to earn an Associate of Science in Culture and Language Studies while graduates of the A.S. may continue on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Culture and Language Studies. Graduates will be prepared to work as highly skilled cultural artists, knowledge keepers, and/or language speakers.
Throughout each level of the Culture and Language Studies program (C.C., A.S., & B.S.) candidates will demonstrate the following skills, dispositions and knowledge in relation to the principles:
- Establish and apply understandings of Sqelixʷ worldview (appropriate ways of being), values, and spirituality within culture and language settings.
- Strengthen Sqelixʷ identity, as well as personal and community health, through the participatory re-centering of language and culture.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the Sqelixʷ language through listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the processes of making and usage of material cultural items to ensure cultural perpetuation.
- Infuse Sqelixʷ worldview, values, and research methodologies to meet responsibilities to community through scnqeʔelsts.
- Explore, think critically about, describe, plan and apply culturally sustaining and revitalizing Sqelixʷ education strategies including storytelling, seasonally-appropriate, experiential, place-based, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
- Identify and think critically about the relationship between Sqelixʷ history, sovereignty, sustainability, and stewardship in relation to Séliš and Ql̓ispe homelands and contemporary places.
- completion of the fourth year of the CALS B.S. program, apprentices will transition from culture and language learners to knowledge keepers who contribute to the community in appropriate, accurate and authentic ways.
Students must receive a “C” or better in all required courses while maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.5 to graduate from each degree program.
Program Contacts
Michael Munson
michael_munson@skc.edu
406-275-4952
Tim Ryan
tim_ryan@skc.edu
406-275-4918
Three Woodcocks Bldg
Rm 115
Apply now and enjoy a unique educational experience that blends Western academic knowledge with Native American perspectives and practices. Benefit from smaller class sizes, personalized attention, and opportunities for hands-on learning and research. Join a supportive community that values cultural diversity and academic excellence, and prepare for a successful career and leadership role in your community. Apply today and start your journey towards a brighter future at SKC!