December Spotlight

LaRae Wiley and Chris Parkin, Salish School of Spokane

LaRae Wiley’s work is a powerful reflection of her commitment to language revitalization, healing, and community building. As an educator, musician, and passionate advocate for the preservation of the n̓səl̓xčin̓ (Colville Salish) language, LaRae has dedicated her career to ensuring the language is passed down to future generations.

Her journey into this work began in an unexpected and deeply personal way. In her 30s, LaRae learned that her great uncle, who she had spent summers with, was the last person in her family to speak their native language. This revelation was a profound moment for LaRae, sparking a sense of urgency and sadness. “I didn’t know that he spoke our language, and when he passed away, I realized that the language was going to be lost from my family forever,” LaRae explains. 

“...when he passed away, I realized that the language was going to be lost from my family forever.”

Determined not to let the language die, LaRae N̓ʔiy̓sítaʔtkʷ meaning, sharp rocks under the water, returned home and shared her feelings with her husband, Chris Parkin ʕ̓An̓n̓. “I went to Chris and told him about it,” LaRae recalls, “little did we know how difficult it would be [to learn the Salish language].” Together, they embarked on a journey to revive the language, ultimately founding the Salish School of Spokane in 2010. The school was born out of a deep commitment to the preservation of their language and culture. LaRae shares, “We wanted to create a place that would help build a community around the language.”

“We wanted to create a place that would help build a community around the language.”

LaRae’s hobbies include reading, spending time with her grandchildren, playing the piano, and singing. She is also passionate about music, having released two albums of original songs in 1999 and 2001. Later, she produced an album of 10 traditional hand drum songs in Salish, working closely with an elder who taught her the language and provided translations. LaRae also created a traditional Christmas CD in the Salish language. She recorded all the instruments on her albums herself, including keyboards, flutes, drums, harmonies, and vocals. Releasing a total of four albums so far, LaRea has plans for a country CD in Salish, featuring covers of songs by artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton. She enjoys the process of translating these songs into Salish, finding it a lot of fun. As for favorite foods, LaRae enjoys steelhead salmon, while Chris loves huckleberries.

“It’s just beautiful when I hear the kids playing on the playground, speaking to each other in Salish.”

At the Salish School, LaRae finds the most joy in witnessing the students speak the Salish language during their daily activities. “It’s just beautiful when I hear the kids playing on the playground, speaking to each other in Salish,” LaRae says, “and in the mornings, when we have circle time and drum together, it’s such a powerful moment. All the kids and the teachers are drumming and singing in our language, giving thanks to the sun and greeting the day together. It’s like nothing else.” For LaRae, these moments reaffirm the importance of the work they do. “No matter what happens in my day, seeing those kids and hearing their voices makes me feel like we can do anything.”

“Even if they’re not related by blood, the kids become like siblings, and that’s so beautiful.”

One of the aspects of the school that LaRae is particularly passionate about is the way the school fosters an intergenerational approach to learning. “It’s incredible to watch how the older students care for the younger ones,” Chris explains. “We don’t have strict age segregation. Kindergarten through second grade are together, then third through fifth, and sixth through eighth. But they all interact, and the older students take care of the younger ones. It’s like one big family, and it’s such a traditional approach.” Chris adds that the sense of community is vital to the school’s mission. “Even if they’re not related by blood, the kids become like siblings, and that’s so beautiful.”

While the work at Salish School is deeply fulfilling, it has not come without its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles LaRae and the school have faced is addressing the painful legacy of the residential schools and the trauma that continues to affect Native communities. “When we do this language work, we’re touching on one of the most painful injuries in our community,” LaRae shares. “The history of the residential schools is so brutal, and it’s left a scar that we carry with us. When we work on language revitalization, we are also working through that pain, that shame, and that sorrow.”

"We always keep our focus on the healing power of the language.”

Chris, who serves as the principal and business manager of the Salish School, reflects on how LaRae’s leadership has helped guide them through these painful moments. “LaRae has been a phenomenal leader,” Chris says. “She doesn’t fight, she doesn’t respond in anger. She’s always been inclusive, and she makes space for everyone to feel heard. That’s how we’ve been able to navigate the pain and the conflict. We always keep our focus on the healing power of the language.”

LaRae agrees, saying that the language is a means of healing. “When I speak the language, I feel connected to my ancestors. I feel like I’m honoring them and the sacrifices they made,” she says. “It’s emotional, but it’s also joyful. Speaking the language brings so much joy and healing. It’s not just about words—it’s about connection to our roots and the generations that came before us.”

“It’s taken a lot of hands to raise the language. We need the community’s support to keep moving forward.”

Despite the challenges, LaRae and Chris remain optimistic about the future. One of the most exciting developments is the opportunity to build a new campus for the Salish School in collaboration with Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington. The new facility will be located next to a low-income housing project and will allow the school to expand its language programs and support its growing community. Chris explains, “This is an incredible opportunity. The Catholic Charities non profit is working with us, and it’s exciting to see how we can work together. We’ve had families at our school who are experiencing homelessness, and we know this new housing project will help many of them. We’ve been really fortunate to have this partnership.”

Chris adds, “This new campus will allow us to grow in ways we never thought possible. But like everything we do, it’s going to take a lot of hands to make it happen. We’re starting a capital campaign to fund this project, and we’re hoping the community will get behind us by donating.”

A common struggle for nonprofits is securing consistent funding. “As a nonprofit, it’s always a challenge to secure the funding we need to operate,” Chris shares. “We’re always looking for ways to build a sustainable funding base. It’s difficult, but we’ve been fortunate to have the support of some amazing foundations over the past few years.” LaRae adds, “It’s taken a lot of hands to raise the language. We need the community’s support to keep moving forward.”

Looking ahead, LaRae is excited about the future of the school and the continued work of revitalizing the Salish language. “We’ve accomplished so much, but there’s so much more to do,” she says. “I’m especially excited about the new campus and the possibilities it brings. It’s going to be another hub for our language and our community.”

“Treat yourself like you treat others. Be kind to yourself, and give yourself grace,” she reflects, “I am enough.”

When asked what advice she would give her younger self, LaRae offers words of wisdom. “Treat yourself like you treat others. Be kind to yourself, and give yourself grace,” she reflects, “I am enough.” Chris, who shares LaRae’s passion for the work, offers his own advice: “Slow down and open your heart.”

LaRae invites people to join the community. “We hold Salish language lessons on Wednesday evenings, open to everyone,” she says. “Non-Native people come to our classes because they want to be strong allies. It’s all about building a community together.” 

To support the Salish School of Spokane or learn more about the language revitalization efforts, visit their website at Salish School of Spokane.