Southern Tutchone

About the Southern Tutchone language

Read about the Southern Tutchone language.

Encouragement Phrases Poster

Southern Tutchone Poster
Click on a format to open and download:
PDF – large
PDF – small
JPEG

Alphabet Chart

Southern Tutchone Alphabet

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Solstice Prayer in Southern Tutchone by Sean Smith

kwäjanä̀da kwänì äyet kwäkà ukʼaakwätsį ätthʼü ítsi.

Interactive Storybook with Audio

Kathy Birckel — At Home

Click on the image to open the storybook.

Interactive Language Lessson with Audio

Click on the image to view the language lesson.

Irene Smith – Tàa’an Dialect

Irene Smith – Tàa’an Dialect

Tàa’an Dialect
Recorded by Irene Smith

© 2005 Irene Smith and Yukon Native Language Centre
Original Art by Susan McCallum


Southern Tutchone Downloadable Learner Resources

About These Resources

This page provides links to digital copies of language lessons, literacy session booklets, and story books that have been prepared over the past thirty years by the Yukon Native Language Centre and Elders and community members from Southern Tutchone First Nations, including Champagne and Aishihik First NationsKluane First NationKwanlin Dün First Nation, and Taʼan Kwächʼän Council in the Yukon. The work of all contributors to these materials is gratefully acknowledged here.

Recognizing the importance for Yukon First Nations governments, Elders, advocates, learners, and teachers of Southern Tutchone to have access to language resources, the Council of Yukon First Nations‘ Yukon Native Language Centre and Yukon Education‘s First Nations Programs and Partnerships Unit have worked together to provide the language materials below with assistance from Christopher Cox.

These digital resources are available for use under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License Creative Commons License.

It is hoped that they will provide additional support for all those interested in studying, learning, and teaching the Southern Tutchone language. To order printed copies of any of these resources from YNLC, please consult the current catalogue of publications.


Southern Tutchone Language Lessons with Audio

To open and view a pdf file, click on the Title.
To download a PDF file, click on the icon. To download the AUDIO file, click on the icon.

Allen, Lorraine and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1994. Southern Tutchone Language Lessons: Aishihik Dialect. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. Download Printed Materials | Download Audio 

Birckel, Kathy and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1994. Southern Tutchone Language Lessons: Klukshu Dialect. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. Download Printed Materials  | Download Audio 

Bunbury, Hazel and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1994. Southern Tutchone Language Lessons: Lake Laberge Dialect (Tàaʼan Mǟn). Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. Download Printed Materials  | Download Audio 

Johnson, Lena and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1994/2012. Southern Tutchone Language Lessons: Kluane Dialect. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. Download Printed Materials  | Download Audio 

Smith, Irene and Yukon Native Language Centre, 2017. Southern Tutchone Language Lessons: Tàaʼan Mǟn Dialect. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. Download Printed Materials  | Download Audio 

Workman, Margaret and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1994. Southern Tutchone Language Lessons: Aishihik Dialect. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. Download Printed Materials  | Download Audio 


Southern Tutchone Story Books

To open and view a pdf file, click on the Title.

NEW – Morning Routines Story Books
Ńtlʼēʼò Kwä̀chʼe.
See PDF below for embedded audio. This book was created by Kàłxʼòkw, Mary Jane Leger. The Southern Tutchone language was edited and recorded by elder Chughäla, Lorraine Allen. Illustrations are by Mark Siermaczeski.

Ńtlʼēʼò Kwä̀chʼe Kʼe Ye Dä̀níʼį with audio.
This book was created by Kàłxʼòkw, Mary Jane Leger. A special thanks is given to Luke Campbell and Amanda Workman for their input. The Southern Tutchone language was edited and recorded by elder Chughäla, Lorraine Allen. Illustrations are by Mark Siermaczeski.
Note: You have to download this PDF for the Audio to work.

Däkʼàn Ładä̀ya. The Man is Hunting
Allen, Lorraine and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1996.  Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Ä́kų̀ Yū. At Home
Allen, Lorraine and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2001. . Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Łu Tsʼégän Yū. Fish Camp
Allen, Lorraine and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2001.. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kwäta. The Bush
Allen, Lorraine and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2003. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Shòthäna Kų̀. Shòthäna’s House.
Birckel, Kathy and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1998.  Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 


Däkʼàn Łädä̀ya. The Moose Hunt.
Birckel, Kathy and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2008.  Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Łu Tsʼä́gän Yū. Fish Camp.
Birckel, Kathy and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2008.  Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Hanay Ka Ładä̀ya. The Moose Hunt.
Bunbury, Hazel and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2008. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Łu Tsʼä́gän Yū. Fish Camp.
Bunbury, Hazel and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2008. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kanay Ka Ładä̀ya. The Moose Hunt.
Johnson, Lena and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1996. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Łu Tsʼä́gän Yū. The Fish Camp.
Johnson, Lena and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1997. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kanday Ladä̀yá. The Moose Hunt.
Moose, Bertha and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2008. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Łu Nätsʼä́gän Yū. Drying Fish Place.
Smith, Martha and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1997. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kų̀ Yū. At Home.
Smith, Martha and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2001. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kwäta Jänächel. Camping in the Bush.
Smith, Martha and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2008. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kų̀ Yū. At Home.
Smith, Vivian and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2001. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Łu Tsʼä́gän Yū. Fish Camp.
Smith, Vivian and Yukon Native Language Centre. 2001. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 

Kanday Ka Ładä̀ya. The Moose Hunt.
Washington, Rosalie and Yukon Native Language Centre. 1996. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Native Language Centre. 


Southern Tutchone Literacy Sessions and In-Services

Table of Contents for Literacy Sessions
Download this document to see the general topics covered for each session

To open and view a pdf file, click on the Title.

  1. Southern Tutchone Literacy Workshop, May 9‐11, 1984Download PDF
  2. Southern Tutchone Literacy Workshop, May 22‐24, 1985.  Download PDF
  3. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Workshop held at the Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 13, 14, 15, 1994.  Download PDF
  4. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Workshop held at the Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 10–12, 1996.  Download PDF
  5. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Workshop held at the Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 2–4, 1997.  Download PDF
  6. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Workshop held at the Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 7–9, 1998.  Download PDF
  7. Southern Tutchone Literacy In-Service. Workshop held at the Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, May 25–26, 2000.  Download PDF
  8. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 10–12, 2001.  Download PDF
  9. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 24–26, 2002.  Download PDF
  10. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 15–17, 2003.  Download PDF
  11. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 14–16, 2004.  Download PDF
  12. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 13–15, 2005.  Download PDF
  13. Southern Tutchone Literacy For Trainees. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, March 29–31, 2006.  Download PDF
  14. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, March 17–19, 2007.  Download PDF
  15. Southern Tutchone In-Service. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 16–18, 2008.  Download PDF
  16. Southern Tutchone Literacy Sessions 2009–2010. S. Tutchone In-Service April 27–28, 2009, S. Tutchone Literacy April 29–30, 2009, S. Tutchone In-Service April 27–28, 2010, S. Tutchone Literacy April 29–30, 2010. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon.  Download PDF
  17. Southern Tutchone In-Service. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 12–14, 2011.  Download PDF
  18. Southern Tutchone In-Service. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, May 3–4, 2012.  Download PDF
  19. Southern Tutchone Certificate Training and Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 3–5, 2013.  Download PDF
  20. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 14–15–16, 2015.  Download PDF
  21. Southern Tutchone Literacy Session. Yukon Native Language Centre, Whitehorse, Yukon, April 19–21, 2016.  Download PDF

For detailed instructions on how to search, view, download, and print these materials, please see the language learning resources guide.

This embedded document contains all Southern Tutchone print resources. It allows you to search all documents at one time. Click your mouse in the document window below and then Type ‘Ctrl’ and ‘f’ keys on your keyboard. Type in a search word or phrase in the small box that pops up and then hit ‘enter’ key. You can type in english or Southern Tutchone but you cannot use diacritics in the search.

Search all Southern Tutchone print resources


Southern Tutchone Dictionaries

The Southern Tutchone Dictionary is available in two formats.

YNLC gratefully acknowledges the 42 years of hard work and dedication of Margaret Workman in the compilation of the Southern Tutchone Noun Dictionary.

Please note that the dictionary is in Draft form and needs proofing and copy editing.

1 – PDF Document with Audio Files by Subject:
English to Southern Tutchone – Download the PDF and Download the Audio Files (.zip folder)

Instructions: The PDF and the Audio Files are organized by Subject. Open each subject folder to listen to the words.

2 – Online Dictionary


Dákeyi — “Our Country”

Originally published on CD in 1996, Dákeyi is available on this website.

Dákeyi — “Our Country” Interactive Place Names and Maps

Dákeyi (Our Country) was developed specifically to meet the needs of high school students and others studying Southern Tutchone language and culture.

The CD and now web format allows text, sound, colour pictures, and even movies to be combined to present information in an interesting and effective way. The ability to use sound is especially important where language is involved. Students today have diminishing opportunity to hear Southern Tutchone spoken. Longer passages in Dákeyi have an on screen controller which allows students to play parts repeatedly, at their own speed, to correctly master tone and other nuances of the language.


Other Learning Resources

  1. YNLC Southern Tutchone YouTube Channel 
  2. Alphabet Chart – Southern Tutchone
  3. Language Map
  4. Traditional Southern Tutchone Stories – Kwädą̄y Kwändǖr – Compiled and Translated by Margaret Workman
  5. Family and Traditional Southern Tutchone Stories – Recorded and Transcribed by Äshèni̮a̮ Bessie Allen
  6.  Southern Tutchone – Hide and Peek/Say it First (Not for sale – contact YNLC for a place of purchase)
  7.  Southern Tutchone – Stories from our Elders (Compiled by Hazel Bunbury, 2012 – Please contact Taaʼan Kwachʼan Council and Elder Hazel Bunbury for purchase)
  8.  Southern Tutchone – Southern Tutchone Phrasebook (Compiled by Hazel Bunbury, 2009 – Please contact Taaʼan Kwachʼan Council and Elder Hazel Bunbury for purchase)
  9.  Lhùʼààn Man Kwánje – Guidebook for families and Novice Speakers of Kluane Southern Tutchone (Compiled by Daniel Tlen, 2018 – Contact YNLC for place of purchase) audio available on Kluane First Nation website
  10. Champagne & Aishihik First Nation language page
  11. Omniglot – the online encyclopedia of writing systems & languages