About the ISSC
Welcome to the Interior Salishan Studies Centre
The ISSC represents an important step in the collective effort to support the language and cultural revitalization in the Interior Salishan region. Focused on both teaching and research, this unique centre supports UBC Okanagan’s Interior Salish Language fluency programs, pursues development of Salishan-specific Indigenous knowledge and conducts Salishan-led research.
The vision for the ISSC is inherently place-based, with nodes throughout the four Interior Salishan language speaking Nations including the syilx, NłeɁkepmx, St’át’imc and Secwépemc.
Formally created in 2024 at UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Centre is based on a number of partnerships between UBCO, Indigenous communities and Interior Salish institutions that have existed for more than 20 years.
Centre faculty members, researchers and staff work collaboratively with community partners to undertake research that develops and documents Interior Salish language and cultural materials in order to better support and deliver these language programs.
As such, the ISSC serves as a platform for teaching and research informed by, and consistent with, the protocols and practices of the Syilx territory on which UBC Okanagan is located.
Our Places
While rooted in the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and located on UBC’s Okanagan campus, the Centre’s mission and activities extend far beyond the university.
Contact Us
At the heart of the Centre is a group of dedicated and supportive staff and incredibly accomplished faculty members.
Restoring Language – Revitalizing Culture – Reimagining Relationships
More than just a research hub, the ISSC is a living expression of decades-long partnerships between Indigenous Salishan institutions and UBC. It was created to support urgent efforts to recover, revitalize and reclaim Interior Salishan languages—languages that carry deep cultural knowledge and have shaped these lands for millennia.
British Columbia is home to over half of Canada’s Indigenous languages, all of which are now critically endangered. With many fluent speakers aging, there is a narrowing window of time to act. The ISSC is a direct response to this crisis, building on years of collaboration with Indigenous leaders, educators and communities.
Its creation aligns with UBC’s strategic commitment to reconciliation and to co-developing knowledge and relationships with Indigenous peoples.
Place-Based and Community-Driven
The ISSC is rooted in the unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. It reflects a place-based vision with physical nodes located throughout Interior Salishan territory and operated in partnership with Salishan colleagues and community institutions.
While located at UBC Okanagan, the ISSC’s mission and activities extend far beyond the university—linking academic work with real-world needs and Indigenous priorities.
A Platform for Indigenous-Led Teaching and Research
The ISSC supports the delivery of the Indigenous Language Fluency degrees and co-locates with graduate training programs, including the Indigenous Knowledges IGS theme. It provides dedicated space for Indigenous scholars, community members, students and research staff, while fostering collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
The Centre’s work prioritizes:
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Indigenous methodologies and worldviews
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Community-engaged research
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Language immersion and fluency development
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Cultural and relational renewal
Guided by Dr. Jeannette Armstrong and supported by a network of institutional partners, the ISSC is reshaping how academic institutions engage with Indigenous languages and knowledge.
“To study in your language and your knowledge systems, which many English speakers take for granted, is not there for Indigenous peoples. UBC Okanagan is at the cutting edge in making that breakthrough—it’s a powerful statement of reconciliation. For all students of this institution, there is a great opportunity to make change happen so we can have a better future for all our people.”
Jeannette Armstrong, Professor, Indigenous Studies
