Ni'nox̱sola
"people that hold wisdom"
All work by the U’mista Language Revitalization Planning Program (LRPP) is guided by the Ni’nox̱sola, a group of Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw Elders who hold important knowledge about the culture and language.
There was not always an official Ni’nox̱sola team to lead Kwak̓wala language revitalization. Language work in Alert Bay began informally, long before the creation of our Ni’nox̱sola. In 2002, Ada Vera Newman and Aunty Ethel Alfred began teaching Kwak̓wala classes at the U’mista Cultural Centre. The LRPP revived phrases from these earlier classes to create our Language Declaration.
Starting in 2016 the U’mista was able to provide “Kwak̓wala with Elders” for the community. This was the origin of our Ni’nox̱sola team. We would like to acknowledge our Ni’nox̱sola members who have since passed - Aunty Irene Cook, Chief Arthur Dick II, Chief Norman Glendale, and Chief Bill Cranmer. We have deep gratitude, love and respect for their contributions.
Our Ni'nox̱sola
cont.
Andrea Cranmer, the youngest of the team, suggested that the group adopt an official title. They chose Ni’nox̱sola, Kwak̓wala for “people that hold wisdom,” in 2022. Over the course of several years, Andrea Cranmer, skilled traditional wellness facilitator, hosted group workshops for the Ni’nox̱sola in order to help release past traumas and instill healthy communication skills. This healing work was instrumental for the Ni’nox̱sola to learn about ego and spirit to achieve sa̱nala (wholeness). This ensures that all members cooperate harmoniously on the language work.
U’mista Cultural Society received funding for language revitalization in October 2022. One stipulation of the funding agreement was that the Society establish a language authority. The Ni’nox̱sola now guide and contribute to all language work undertaken by the U’mista LRPP. This includes recording and transcribing Kwak̓wala audio and putting Kwak̓wala language resources in accessible formats, such as flashcards and themed vocabulary collections. The Ni’noxsola also determine what knowledge is released for the general public and what knowledge needs to be kept for local knowledge keepers or even restricted due to its sensitive nature. The Ni’nox̱sola aim to represent all Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw gwayi’lelas (ways of life).
The LRPP team is currently working to establish an official Ni’noxsola policy codifying rules on membership, compensation, and role. There are currently nine Ni’nox̱sola members—Ada Vera Newman, Andrew “Klink” Webber, Russell “Crow” Dick, Margaret “Modi” Smith, Ethel “Gundy” Scow, Stella Beans, Patricia “Patsy” Cook, and Andrea Cranmer. We are looking to add a tenth member.
Ni'nox̱sola Introductions
