October 29, 2026
Ktunaxa ʔaqⱡsmaknik̓ from around ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa and beyond gathered on October 23 to 25 in ʔa·kisk̓aqǂiʔit (Cranbrook) for the 32nd Annual Ktunaxa Literacy Day. (The day is on October 24 every year.)
On Friday, participants gathered for a group photo to document the Nation rebuilding work of revitalizing Ktunaxa, which is an endangered language isolate.
(See the image gallery; photos courtesy of TKL.)
With more than 130 people registered, the event celebrated language learners, teachers and speakers contributing to the active reclamation and documentation of Ktunaxa ʔa·kⱡukaqwum (language).
Ktunaxa academics Dr. Christopher Horsethief and Aiyana Twigg provided key-note presentations on how digital tools and on-the-land learning can increase community collaboration and access to the language for all Ktunaxa ʔaqⱡsmaknik̓ (people.)
Nation members from the four Ktunaxa communities of ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation, ʔaq̓am, yaqan nuʔkiy, and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation were joined by relatives from the ʔaq̓anqmi (Kootenai Tribe of Idaho) and the Ksanka Kootenai Tribe, to strengthen efforts to revitalize the shared language.
The event was hosted by the Traditional Knowledge and Language Sector of the Ktunaxa Nation Council, and was held at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort.
To learn more about how to get involved to support Ktunaxa language revitalization visit ktunaxa.org/traditional-knowledge-language.
Thank you to all participants, presenters, and organizers!
Lino Cuts by participants in the workshop presented by Ktunaxa artist Lillian Rose
