Sisters Fern and Phyllis Gabriel are unveiling a brand new children鈥檚 counting book, which aims to teach readers how to count in a Kwantlen language.
Written in the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m dialect, Phyllis tackled the illustrations while Fern said she dedicates herself to preserve the language.
鈥漈here are 1,000 ways of counting in the language 鈥� different ways to count people鈥� canoes鈥� houses鈥� birds鈥︹�� Fern explained. 鈥淭here are 13 moons in one year and we count moons the same way we count money, because they are both circular.鈥�
Though Fern does not consider herself an author, pointing out that the book only dealt with numbers and expressing that her sister鈥檚 work is what really sells the books, the opportunity to share her culture was still a welcomed one.
Holding bachelors degrees in history and education, Fern has studied and taught h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m for 20 years while also serving as a teacher in the 91原创 School District.
鈥淭he language is critically endangered because there are no speakers,鈥� Fern said. 鈥淚 hope to inspire more people to take interest.鈥�
Read More: Kwantlen-language street signs proposed for Fort 91原创
A book launch will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lelem鈥� Arts and Cultural Cafe, located at #100 - 23285 Billy Brown Rd. in Fort 91原创.
All proceeds go to language revitalization.
More information on the event can be found on the book launch page.
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