n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ Song
“You don’t call him Ogopogo, you call him by his name, n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ.”
– late Elder, Joey Pierre
ɬək̓əmxnalqs (Delphine Derickson-Armstrong) grew up hearing many stories about n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ, a sacred being in the water that always captivated her. According to our captikʷɬ (oral stories of Syilx laws), n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ travels throughout the waters, caring for them.
Our ancestors shared stories that were beautifully descriptive and rich in detail. ɬək̓əmxnalqs absorbed songs from her elders and her father. As she drove by the lake each day, she felt a deep urge to create a song in honour of the sacred lake-being.
This song serves as a narrative that she wishes to pass down to the youth, to the Syilx people, and to preserve our history and teachings. It tells the story of n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ as it dances in the water, with the waves it generates creating a unique rhythm.
n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ – nsyilxcən word for “sacred being in the water”, the meaning comes from several words
The “n” means inside, the “x̌a” means sacred.
And “ítkʷ” meaning water, such as t̓ik̓ʷt (lake) and kɬusx̌nitkw (Okanagan Lake)
Together, these parts form the true name for the sacred being in the water, also known as the spirit of the lake, and commonly known to outsiders as “Ogopogo.”
Note: The variations in the nsyilxcən (nsyilxcən̓, nsyilxcn, nsyilxčn̓, nsəl̓xčin̓) language arises from the fact that the language is primarily oral, with a relatively recent development of standardized written forms. There are minor variations and spelling differences within the language family, between the regions of Syilx territory. As a result, the ONA strives to ensure that spellings are accurate and consistent; however, they may differ from other spellings you might encounter.
See Also
Suggested Resources
captikʷł
