Chief Atahm School is a First Nations’ language immersion educational program situated on the Adams Lake Band reserve in the Secwepemc Nation, Interior of B.C. The school is grounded in the belief that knowledge of the language, traditional practices and beliefs of the Secwepemc will help develop a strong and healthy community. Individuals will be prepared for today’s world and will help to protect the earth for future generations.
Ts7ullcwiye Xwexwéytep! Xwexwistén-kuc e stsun’mectst stém’i r tsuwet.s r Ts’elcewtqen Clleq’mel’ten.
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History of the Program
In 1987 a small group of parents worked together to stem the loss of the Secwepemc language in their community by starting a language nest. The language nest model was borrowed from the Maori “Te Kohanga Reo” early childhood immersion program (www.kohanga.ac.nz). The success of that program led to the creation of Chief Atahm School in 1991.
Today, hundreds of children have benefited from being immersed in their ancestral language surrounded by a nurturing circle of elders and teachers. Chief Atahm School seeks to continually improve their program with the development of an educational framework that privileges Secwepemc knowledge, language and culture. We extend an invitation to other indigenous nations interested in aboriginal language immersion to come and join us at our 10th Annual Language Conference in May 2010.
