Indigenous Language Terms

The Northwest Coast is one of the most diverse linguistic regions in North America, with at least 45 languages represented. These languages reflect age-old cultural traditions that developed and were passed down through the generations. Embedded in these languages are the memories of how people lived on the land and sea and interacted with each other and other creatures. Language preservation is one of the greatest struggles facing Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast. 

Explore this page to hear the words and phrases associated with herring as they are spoken in some of the languages of the Northwest Coast peoples. 

Haida

Herring roe on kelp is delicious
We had a really good meal
We are going to eat herring roe on kelp
Crackling sound of eating herring roe

Sliammon

We had a really good meal
We are going to eat herring eggs
Peel the meat away from the bone
I am going to eat herring eggs
Crackling sound of eating herring