shíshálh language

The shíshálh language, sháshíshálh, she shashishalhem (IPA: [ʃáʃíʃáɬəm]), or Sechelt language (IPA: [siʃɜlt]), is a Coast Salish language that originates and is spoken within the swiya (world, "Territory") of the shíshálh Nation, located on the Sunshine Coast in southwestern British Columbia, Canada.

In 1999, the language was spoken by fewer than forty elderly people. A grammar guide for the language was published by linguist Ron Beaumont in 1985, based on the Sechelt language course he helped design for local high schools participating in the Native Environmental Studies Program. In 2011, he further published a one thousand-page dictionary.

As of 2019, only two elderly fluent speakers remained. Many teachers are working with children and adults to revitalize the language in local schools, from preschool to post-secondary. Both University of British Columbia and Capilano University offer Sechelt language courses, along with Kinnikinnick Elementary School and Chatelech Secondary School.

In 2014, the Coastal Corridor Consortium, "an entity made up of board members from First Nations and educational partners to improve aboriginal access to and performance in postsecondary education and training", created a Sechelt Nation language certificate that is offered at Capilano University Sunshine Coast Campus in Sechelt.

Sechelt is most closely related to Squamish, Halkomelem, and the Nooksack.

Although critically endangered, the shíshálh people, with help from others, have reclaimed 603 phrases and 5659 words in total and have a published dictionary and grammar.