Author Archive

Jargon Chinook sitkum-san-tali

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“Tɨmnákni tímat (writing from the heart): Sahaptin discourse and text in the speaker writing of Xílux̣in”: An excellent MA thesis by a longtime Chinuk Wawa friend, Phil Cash Cash, who some of you will remember… Continue reading →

Having a hopping time: Chinookie and more

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I have no more to say than that some of us would find the combination of Chinook Jargon and a Northwest craft beer to make a perfect day. Better, even, if Chinook hops… Continue reading →

Some reminiscences of old Victoria

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Some Reminiscences of Old Victoria, by Edgar Fawcett.  Toronto: William Briggs.  1912. A nicely told personal memoir by Fawcett (1847-1923, immigrated to Victoria 1859).  I read his words as accurately detailed, and they… Continue reading →

Disgust with MP’s acting like high muck-a-mucks

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A hundred and sixteen summers ago, they had the same discontents. In BC, what were they complaining about? “High muck-a-mucks” in the Dominion parliament! This is one of the earlier instances I’ve been… Continue reading →

Letter from Lytton

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Side note before the show–any of my readers have JSTOR access? There is an article Iʹd like to print out.  Let me know.  — Dave Chako nanich, Chinuk wawa pipa iht sawash man… Continue reading →

Wah-Wah’s 7, Go-Go’s 6, and RIP Barbara Harris

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Please see Barbara Harris’ obituary at the end of this post.  Thanks. Here’s a tiny fun Canadian hockey mystery to cool your brain on this summer day: In an item headed “Sport at… Continue reading →

Potlatch lamala, at White Bluffs on the Columbia, really?

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In the Nakusp (BC) Ledge, September 12, 1895, a leisurely installment of “Odd Talks with Old-Timers” hears out an unnamed Cariboo pioneer, possibly the newspaper’s editor.  This old codger of a first-person narrator recalls… Continue reading →

Indians said to be sullex!

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And other sarcasm!  This many-tiered headline is a fine parody of its own times!  And I quote! Complete with snarky Chinuk Wawa borrowings! Tremendous gold excitement! in Portland!! The ‘Times’ out with Two… Continue reading →

What engineers must know in British Columbia

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Chinuk Wawa shows up in a funny place: American Machinist magazine.  (February 2, 1884, page 3.)  In the middle of a serious discussion of Root’s new boiler design, they throw in some lighter-weight filler.  “What… Continue reading →

Covered Wagon Women

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The letter of Anna Maria King, Luckiamute Valley, Oregon, April 1, 1846: [page 44:] The Indians appear to be very friendly, like to have the Bostons come, as they call them.   Tabitha Brown (1780-1858, co-founder… Continue reading →