Partnerships and Funding
Our Partnerships 
Collaborating for Revitalization and Reconciliation
At the heart of the Interior Salishan Studies Centre (ISSC) is a deep commitment to respectful, reciprocal partnerships.
The Centre is the result of over two decades of collaboration between UBC Okanagan and Interior Salishan communities, institutions and language champions. These relationships form the foundation of everything we do.
The ISSC is not a stand-alone academic unit—it is part of a broader, living network that brings together Indigenous communities, educators and institutions to co-create pathways for Indigenous-led teaching, research and language revitalization.
Key Partners
Our work is deeply rooted in long-standing relationships with:

The En’owkin Centre (hereafter referred to as En’owkin) is a dynamic institution, which puts into practice the principles of self-determination and the validation of cultural aspirations and identity. An Indigenous cultural, educational, ecological and creative arts organization, En’owkin plays a lead role in the development and implementation of Indigenous knowledge and systems, both at the community and international levels.
Questions or registration queries for the nsyilxcn language certificate or diploma program should be directed to:
Contact Information
Academic Records Management Coordinator: Lavinia Wilson
Phone: 250-493-7181 Ext. 220
Email: dbase@enowkincentre.ca
Address: 154 Enowkin Trail, Penticton, B.C. V2A 0E1
R Stselxméms r Secwépemc Society Program Coordinator and Student Support: Melpetkwe Matthew
Phone: 250-679-8837
Email: atahm.research@gmail.com
Address: 6371 Chief Jules Drive, Adams Lake Reserve #1, Box 1068, Chase, BC

The Lillooet Tribal Council (LTC) was first incorporated in 1976 as the Stl’atl’imx Nation Tribal Council to deliver support and advisory services to its member communities. In 1996, the council underwent a formal name change to the Lillooet District Indian Council, and today affairs are conducted under the name of the Lillooet Tribal Council. The Lillooet Tribal Council Purpose Statement includes:
- To promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the St’át’imc
- To promote and develop community-based projects that lead to self-sufficiency for members of the St’át’imc
- To promote protection of the environment and sustainable management of renewable and non-renewable resources within the territory of the St’át’imc
- To provide administrative and advisory support services to the members of the St’át’imc
- To organize and manage events consistent with the above
As a part of this work, the St’át’imc Education Institute was established to provide service to participating communities with the delivery of education program courses that is engaged through a partnership with post-secondary institutes.
Contact Information
Phone: 250-256-7523
Address: 650 Industrial Place, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
Questions or registration queries for the St’at’imc language certificate or diploma program should be directed to:
- Education queries: 250-256-3538
- Application Form and information

As British Columbia’s Indigenous public post-secondary Institute, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) offers innovative and relevant credentials in areas such as health and wellness, technology, governance and leadership, land and environmental stewardship, economic development, education and Indigenous languages.
Questions or registration queries for the NłeɁkepmx Language Fluency certificate or diploma program should be directed to:
CONTACT information
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Phone: 1-877-682-3300
Email: info@nvit.ca
Merritt Address: 4155 Belshaw St., Merritt, BC, V1K 1R1
Vancouver Campus: 4355 Mathissi Pl., Burnaby, BC, V5G 4S8
Together, these partners helped co-develop the Interior Salishan Language Degrees, offering immersive, community-based learning that empowers Indigenous students and honors community-led curriculum design.
We also work closely with:
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Urban Indigenous organizations
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Salishan-speaking Nations across the BC Interior
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First Nations Education Steering Committee
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Post-secondary institutions across the province
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UBC Indigenous Initiatives and faculty across disciplines
How You Can Help
We welcome and encourage partnerships with:
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Individual donors who want to directly support Indigenous education and reconciliation
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Philanthropic foundations focused on language preservation, education, or Indigenous rights
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Public funding bodies investing in community-based research and innovation
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Corporate partners committed to equity, social responsibility, and Indigenous engagement
Your support will directly impact the future of Interior Salishan languages, helping to ensure that they not only survive but thrive for generations to come.
Support the recovery and revitalization of Indigenous languages and cultures in British Columbia by giving today.
Our Partnership Principles
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Community First – Indigenous communities are the drivers and stewards of their languages and knowledge systems.
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Relational Accountability – We honour commitments and build trust through transparency and long-term engagement.
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Mutual Benefit – All partnerships should support community needs and institutional learning alike.
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Shared Governance – We aim to include community voices in shaping the Centre’s direction and priorities.
Looking Ahead
The ISSC is designed to grow through continued collaboration. We are actively developing new relationships with Interior Salishan-speaking Nations and exploring future degree partnerships to expand our regional impact. We envision an integrated Interior Salishan language instruction ecosystem, with community-based and university-based learning deeply interwoven.
We invite new partners—educational institutions, community organizations, language keepers and scholars—to join us in building a future where Interior Salishan languages are vibrant, visible and widely spoken once again.
Our Funding
Investing in Indigenous-Led Revitalization
As we work toward meaningful reconciliation, funding plays a critical role in supporting Indigenous language learners, researchers, communities and the infrastructure they need to thrive.
Current Support
The Centre has received foundational funding to support its initial development:
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A donation of $25,000 per year for three years (2024–2027) to support administrative operations and the leadership of the incoming Director.
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Space and infrastructure allocated in the new XSS (x̌əl sic snpax̌nwixʷtn) Building, a space dedicated to Indigenous scholarship and community partnership.
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Teaching load reductions for academic leadership and staff supported through UBC’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
In addition, we are actively engaged in developing grant proposals, including a significant application to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to support the Interior Salishan Languages Initiative.
Funding Priorities
With expanded support, the ISSC aims to:
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Grow and sustain Interior Salishan language degree programs.
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Create long-term language revitalization resources, archives, and tools.
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Support Indigenous graduate students, research initiatives.
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Expand our network of community-based research sites and learning hubs.
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Host visiting Indigenous scholars, Elders and researchers.
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Offer immersive training opportunities for students and language learners.
