Salish School of Spokane builds community of Salish speakers through immersion

Students at Salish School of Spokane are immersed daily in n̓səl̓xčin̓, also known as Colville-Okanagan Salish, learning academic subjects entirely in the language alongside teachers and family members, according to Underscore Native News and ICT. The pre-K through eighth grade school serves students ages 1 to 14 and requires parents and staff to participate in regular language classes.

The school was founded in 2009 by N̓ʔiy̓sítaʔtkʷ, also known as LaRae Wiley, a Sinixt citizen of the Colville Confederated Tribes, who now serves as an elder linguist. Her son, paˤłxʷ, also known as Graham Wiley-Camacho, is the lead elementary school teacher. He said the school’s goal is to restore intergenerational language transmission by creating Salish-speaking households.

All subjects, including math and science, are taught in Salish, and students begin each day with songs and drumming. Construction on a new campus is set to begin in February 2026.