This section of the guide highlights Indigenous language revitalization organizations, programs and initiatives. These resources can serve as starting points for language acquisition and revitalization, as well as further research development.
The Apache Language Consortium is a collective of Apache speakers, schools, and educators that are working to preserve the Arizona Apache language to ensure they can pass it on to future generations. They work to support Apache learners and teachers by developing language materials such as textbooks, dictionaries, flashcards, posters and more; by providing access to apps and multimedia; and by organizing intensive teacher training and workshops. They also work to educate the general public about Apache language loss and preservation, and assist our Apache communities in finding financial support necessary to maintain healthy and stable language programs.
The Crow Language Consortium is a collective of Crow schools, colleges, and educators that are working to preserve the Crow language to ensure we can pass it on to future generations. They work to support Crow learners and teachers by developing language materials such as textbooks, dictionaries, flashcards, posters and more; by providing access to apps and multimedia; and by organizing intensive teacher training and workshops. Today, they are working with many Crow speakers to certify them as teachers in best-practice teaching methodologies.
The initial phase of the Growing Ute Living Language Program created an online Ute Dictionary, a Ute language mobile app, Ute signage for community facilities, a Growing Ute Storybook, Speak Ute All the Time public service announcements, and an Indigenous film, We Are Nuchu, which won multiple Gold Telly Awards in 2022.
Dual language learning is a model of education where instruction and learning occur in both English and a partner language, with the partner language being used for at least half of the instructional day. While the majority of dual language programs in the United States teach in English and Spanish, there are increasing numbers of programs across the country that include Indigenous and world languages.This community-based narrative for language learning provides a blueprint for local schools for the survival of the community's language. This process underscores community language sovereignty and honors, respects, and validates cultural and social norms.
Northern Cheyenne Language Consortium is a collective of Northern Cheyenne speakers, schools, and educators that are working to preserve the Northern Cheyenne language to ensure they can pass it on to future generations. They work to support Northern Cheyenne learners and teachers by developing language materials such as textbooks, dictionaries, flashcards, posters and more; by providing access to apps and multimedia; and by organizing intensive teacher training and workshops. Today, they are working with many Northern Cheyenne speakers to certify them as teachers in best-practice teaching methodologies.
The Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival is a Native-run & led organization devoted to implementing and supporting the revitalization of indigenous California languages.
The American Indian Language Development Institute's (AILDI) mission is to provide critical training to strengthen efforts to revitalize and promote the use of Indigenous languages across generations. This is accomplished by engaging educators, schools, Indigenous communities and policy makers nationally and internationally through outreach, transformative teaching, purposeful research and collaborative partnerships. As a result of our work, we envision that the larger society will know that language revitalization is critical to sustain and reinforce Indigenous linguistic, cultural, and spiritual health and identity.
The mission of the Indigenous Language Institute (ILI) is to provide vital language-related programs and services to Native nations, tribes, and communities so that their individual and collective identities, traditional wisdom, values, and their inherent right to self-determination—especially in language immersion and revitalization—are passed on to future generations through their original languages.
To stem the loss of Indigenous languages and cultures, First Nations launched the Native Language Immersion Initiative in 2017 to support new generations of Native American language speakers, and help Native communities establish infrastructure and models for Native language immersion programs that may be replicated throughout Indian Country.
NILI supports and strengthens language preservation and revitalization efforts. With tribal, academic and community partners, NILI establishes collaborative, on-going projects which meet the specific needs and desires of each language community. Integral to NILI are teacher training, curriculum development, language documentation and appropriate uses in technology. NILI provides outreach services on issues of language reclamation and advocates for language revitalization issues.
CILLDI originally developed as a joint venture between Indigenous language researchers and activists at the University of Alberta and the University of Saskatchewan. Today, CILLDI continues to be dedicated to the revitalization of Indigenous languages through documentation, teaching, and literacy. In addition to the annual summer school in Edmonton, CILLDI also partners with Indigenous communities and language activists around the world on various efforts throughout the year. Past community initiatives have included dictionary projects, in-community courses, and developing language teaching materials.
The FPCC Language Program provides funding and support for community-based initiatives that are revitalizing the First Nations languages of B.C. The Language Program focuses on three main strategies for language revitalization: creating fluent speakers of all ages through effective immersion programming; documenting the language from fluent speakers and creating language resources that are accessible for learners and speakers; and, planning for the long-term revitalization of the languages through strategic language planning.
OLCC practitioners work diligently to keep their language vibrant. Methods research is geared toward producing speakers who are equipped to use Oneida in their everyday lives in their homes, in their neighbourhoods and in their community. The Oneida Language Committee formed around 1981 to respond to a growing demand for Oneida language instruction and to begin development of language resource materials.
The Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC) has served First Nations people since 1972. It was the first First Nations controlled educational institution serving at the provincial level. SICC strives to maintain the cultural identity of First Nations cultures who inhabit what is now known as Saskatchewan: Plains Cree, Swampy Cree, Woodlands Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakoda and Lakota.
Elders from the Yukon and neighbouring areas have contributed in many ways to the work of the Yukon Native Language Centre. For example, they provide information which aids in language documentation, they make recordings from which teaching materials are developed, and they offer guidance in training sessions. YNLC supports YFNs with language revitalization by providing training, capacity building, technical expertise, advocacy and being a central repository for all to access and use.
First Languages Australia works with members of the language network to create resources and undertake projects that support local community language aspirations. We build links between communities and the government, and key non-government partners whose work affects or can impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. By supporting communication within the language network, First Languages Australia works to help colleagues share their experience, resources and expertise and to encourage sustainable partnerships that support to broad spectrum of language endeavours.
Living Languages was originally founded as the ‘Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity Inc.’ (RNLD) in 2004. In 2009, RNLD was funded to develop its language facilitation activities across Australia and has been continuously funded since under a grant now known as the Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) Program. From that point, RNLD’s main programs became providing community-based training and language facilitation across Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working to revitalise, grow and strengthen their languages.
Ngukurr is a large Aboriginal community in southern Arnhem Land, situated on Ngalakgan land. Formerly a mission, the community population covers 8-10 heritage languages that are all now endangered. Their languages are Alawa, Marra, Warndarrang, Ngandi, Ngalakgan, Rembarrnga, Wubuy (Nunggubuyu), Wägilak, and Ritharrŋu. They also work with Kriol, the main language spoken in Ngukurr today.
Pama Language Centre works with First Nations Language Champions of Cape York Peninsula to record, revive, revitalise and maintain our ancestral languages.
Te Whare o Rongomaurikura, the Centre for Language Revitalisation, was established in 2011. It was conceptualised and developed in response to international inquiries and requests from language revitalisation groups interested in the work being developed by Te Ipukarea for the Māori language. The Centre has provided the opportunity to share the frameworks for these resources with other communities so that Indigenous and endangered languages globally may benefit from the research conducted by Te Ipukarea for the Māori language.
