Chinuk Wawa is the heritage language of the Chinook Nation, a confederation of the five western-most Chinookan-speaking tribes whose homelands are at the mouth of the Columbia River, where present-day Washington and Oregon meet the Pacific Ocean. Representing more than 3,000 enrolled tribal members, the Chinook people have long been stewards of the Lower Columbia River and neighboring coast. Chinuk Wawa developed as an Indigenous trade language and was once spoken throughout much of the Pacific Northwest, from Northern California to Alaska. It draws primarily from Chinookan languages, with influences from Nuuchahnulth—the language of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples of the west coast of present-day British Columbia—as well as English and Canadian French.
Created by Chinook Tribal member Brandi Ramus, this introductory course helps learners begin speaking Chinuk Wawa by learning to introduce themselves and their families. By studying the language, students help preserve an important part of Chinook history and celebrate the enduring cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest.