The children’s book teaches some basics of Nsyilxcən, the Syilx language, and presents ideas for contemporary and traditional activities for each of the four seasons.
Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n, who prefers to be addressed by his Indigneous name, explains that Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n translates to “blue wings” in Nsyilxcən. He says his name was given to him by his godfather.
“I like my Indigenous name, it has a meaning,” says Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n. “Levi – people just think of pants or maybe from the Bible, but there’s not much meaning. I don’t know what a ‘Levi’ translates to in English, but Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n is very specific as to what that is and it holds more meaning and value in my mind, in my heart.”
Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n is a Lower Similkameen Indian Band member, with Syilx Okanagan and Québécois ancestry. He says he developed a passion for learning Nsyilxcən shortly after he moved to Penticton 14 years ago from Okanogan, Wash., not far from his hometown in Malott.
Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n says he began writing his children’s book in early March, during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He adds that he wrote the book because he likes to draw caricature art and wanted it to appeal to children with the vibrant colours and fun playful images, making the Syilx language more intriguing.
He says his intentions behind the book and its title are to get readers to ask themselves: “What do you do all the time? … What do I do in each year’s season?”
“When it’s spring, as Indigenous people, we have a responsibility to harvest the foods that are available from our ancestors. So it makes you think, I should be out there, digging roots, sitting with my grandma or grandpa,” he says.
Qʷyqʷʕayáx̌n says he believes Indigenous Peoples are connected to the land in a seasonal way, and he wanted to showcase that you can have a balance of contemporary and traditional lifestyles while being an holistic person.
