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Sechelt Nation Language and Culture Certificate

Credential
Certificate

Duration
5 year(s)

Talk to a student recruitment advisor
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Faculty
Arts & Sciences

School
School of Humanities

Develop your Sechelt language skills while learning more about the history and culture of the Sechelt (shíshálh) Nation. 7ewkw’chalap kwetl’ tiwsham she shashishalhem!

In this certificate program, you'll take introductory language courses as well as literature and other electives relevant to Sechelt linguistics and culture.

You'll study at our Sunshine Coast campus and be taught by CapU instructors and Sechelt community members.

Help increase fluency and keep the Sechelt language alive.

The course is taught from a Sechelt perspective and is aimed at current and future Sechelt language teachers.

Eagle Mural at Sunshine Coast campus.

Study on the Coast

Your classes take place at kálax-ay | the Sunshine Coast Campus of Capilano University, so you'll be studying she shashishalhem in the place where it has been spoken for thousands of years.

Did you know?

  • In speech patterns and grammar, the shíshálh language (Shashishalhem) most closely resembles the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh), Halkomelem (hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ - also known as Musqueam) and Nooksack (Lhéchalosem) languages.
  • Efforts by the shíshálh Nation to recover the language started in the 1970s and have led to the identification and reclamation of more than 600 phrases and nearly 6,000 words. 
  • The first Shashishalhem dictionary was published in 2011, totaling more than 1,000 pages. The dictionary includes translations, as well as songs, dances, legends, prayers and classroom instruction. 
  • CapU is one of several institutions offering Sháshíshálhem language courses. The others are: 
    • Chatelech Secondary School
    • Kinnikinnick Elementary School
    • mem7iman Child Development Centre

Understand the key areas of the language

In the first four courses in Sháshíshálhem language, you'll learn important vocabulary skills, including:

  • Sháshíshálhem I (FNLG 108): describing yourself and your family
  • Sháshíshálhem II (FNLG 109): describing the living world
  • Sháshíshálhem III (FNLG 110): describing cycles, including the seasons, life, the life of salmon
  • Sháshíshálhem IV (FNLG 111): selected master works of the shíshálh tradition

The two final Sháshíshálhem courses (FNST 104 and 105) focus on the shíshálh people and their language, which are presented in the oral tradition.

These two courses focus on collective identity, language, kinship, shared resources, the sharing of common territory and the Sechelt people and their relationship with the living world.

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For more information about the Sechelt Nation Language and Culture Certificate, contact us today.

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Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

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Intakes

Spring 2025

Location
Sunshine Coast

Course load
Part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Feb 6, 2024 – Feb 4, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Nov 12, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Dec 16, 2024

Fall 2025

Location
Sunshine Coast

Course load
Part-time

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 2, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jun 23, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Review this program's admission requirements

First-time applicants submit your application on EducationPlannerBC

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Submit your official transcripts

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official university or college transcripts

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Library Building, Room LB152
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Review this program's admission requirements

Learn about CapU's admission requirements and submit your application

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

Receive an acknowledgement email

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

Submit your official transcripts

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Official high school, university, or college transcripts

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Certified documents

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

Original academic documents

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Receive letter of offer

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

Receive letter of acceptance and apply for a study permit

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Get ready for your first day

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $2,201 $1,508 $3,709
Year 2 $2,201 $1,508 $3,709
Total $4,402 $3,016 $7,418
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $9,854 $1,508 $11,362
Year 2 $9,854 $1,508 $11,362
Total $19,708 $3,016 $22,724

Tuition & Fees Estimator

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Entrance Awards

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Term Awards

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On this page

Required Courses

Required Courses

Total credits: 30.00

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
ENGL 107Introduction to Indigenous Literatures and Film3.00 credits
FNLG 108The Sechelt Language I (Sháshíshálhem I)3.00 credits
FNLG 109The Sechelt Language II (Sháshíshálhem II)3.00 credits
FNLG 110The Sechelt Language III (Sháshíshálhem III)3.00 credits
FNLG 111The Sechelt Language IV (Sháshíshálhem IV)3.00 credits
FNST 104The Sechelt People and Language I3.00 credits
FNST 105The Sechelt People and Language II3.00 credits
LING 100Introduction to General Linguistics: Language Structure3.00 credits
LING 102Introduction to Practical Phonetics3.00 credits

Total program credits: 30.00

Additional information

Students should consult with the Sechelt Nation Language and Culture program coordinator to determine the availability of courses by term and location. The focus of LING 100 is customized to its location of offering so students in this program are advised to register for LING 100 when offered in Sechelt.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

Sechelt Nation Language and Culture Certificate-Linguistics
604 986 1911 , ext. 2423
humanities@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca