Ti Kʷu Ti Xilx Indigenous Association (TKTX) was formed October 2019 as an immersion domain for new speakers, as a partnership with Syilx Language House. TKTX delivers a nest for toddlers following an immersion nest model created by the Salish School of Spokane. All staff continue to study 10 hours a week with SLH, while becoming a licensed daycare. The program operates as an "outdoor school" model. The kids and parents and staff are learning to play, hike, cross country ski, toboggan, recognize plants, become comfortable in the outdoor environment, sing, and navigate the outdoors in N̓syilxčn̓.
A nest is a learning model created by Maoris and Hawaiians where a culturally based immersion environment is created for children. TKTX and SLH are funded by First Peoples Culture Council.
TKTX team
Səxʷt̓ums Krista Lindley is a founder of TKTX and a graduate of SLH. She lives at WFN with her husband and four children, is a member of OKIB and is a passionate language activist. She runs the language nest which delivers immersion to toddlers, including her son Sʔímlaʔxʷ, teaches in the adult fluency program, and records fluent Elders.
St̓aʔqʷálqs Hailey Causton is a founder of TKTX and a graduate of SLH. She is a WFN member, a dancer, performer, passionate language activist, skilled teacher and Elder recorder, and mother of two boys, Kaʔsmíw̓t, Ksultíkn̓, and N̓x̌aʔsíls, who will grow up to be x̌słčawt, kind, culturally grounded fluent speakers.
Sʔím̓laʔxʷ Michele Johnson PhD is Executive Director of SLH and supports TKTX. She is a member of OKIB, related to Simlas and Richters with Suyápix (Euro) ancestry. She is certified nłəqʷčin (high-intermediate) by Sʕamtíc̓aʔ Peterson and Chris Parkin, Salish School of Spokane (Paul Creek). She spearheaded the "language house" model. When not manifesting language, fundraising, teaching or tobogganing in N̓syilxčn̓ with toddlers she can be found hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and playing guitar.
St̓k̓masq̓t Skye Fay is descended from UNIB ancestors. She recently moved to Syilx territory to study language full time and partner with SLH and TKTX adult and nest programs. She is a passionate language learner, excellent tutor, and skilled facilitator of nest immersion.
Kʷkʷlal Deana Rae Cohen is a fully certified ECE who is bringing kindness and compassion training for toddlers to the nest environment.
Səxʷʕay̓n̓čút Alexis Tom is an ECEA in training who a language learner and is wonderful with children.
Skəkm̓xísaʔt Sofia Terbasket-Funmaker is an LSIB member and a passionate language activist. She is a great teacher with SLH and leader of outdoor immersion games with TKTX.
Spəplína Stephanie Alexis is an OKIB member and a former member of the language nest team, along with her son Pqlqin who loves to sing in N̓syilxčn̓.
Swʕaʔ Kylie Jack is a PIB member and a former member of the language nest team. She met the team during their evening Nsyilxcn 1 class and jumped on board for the summer nest program. She left the team in September to become a lawyer. x̌ast aksčk̓ʷúl̓ Swʕaʔ.