Aspen Decker

Aspen Decker is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (t̓at̓ʔayaqn, Ql̓isp̓é & Ksanka) and a speaker of her tribal language Nsélišcn ‘Salish language’. She graduated with a master’s degree in linguistics from the University of Montana in 2021. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Tribal Historic Preservation from Salish Kootenai College in 2018. She has a Montana Class 7 Native American Language and Culture Educator License.

Her passion for Salish language began as a child, learning from her elders. Who taught her about the importance of perpetuating Salish language and following the seasonal cycles for the continuation of the Salish language and culture. Raising her children in the language as first language Salish speakers has been one of the ways that she honors their teachings.

Aspen and her husband Cameron are Co-owners of their business Xwlxwilt ‘alive and well’ that is a company designed to create and deliver authentic Indigenous knowledge and diversity in education.

Aspen is also a Native American Ledger Artist. The following is her artist statement:

Sqlqélixʷ x̣ʷlč̓musšn scyoʔstéʔes łu spúʔusts łu x̣ʷl̓ i sck̓ʷul̓. Łu x̣ʷl̓ čn es nsuxʷné łu nqlixʷcn u čn nqlixʷcutn sxʷx̣sx̣séčst, in x̣sx̣séčst mimeyem łu i snkʷsqélixʷ nk̓ʷúʔulmis. Čn nté tl̓ x̣sx̣éčst, nem x̣słp̓łip łu l̓ qe sqlixʷulexʷ.  

‘Ancestral Indigenous knowledge and language is at the heart of my work. As a Salish language speaker and cultural artist, my artwork connects to my Sqelixw ways of knowing. I believe doing something good with your hands 'art', will leave good marks on our homelands.’

Speaking during Session Two on Day Two of the Programme.