In a significant move to preserve Indigenous languages in the United States, the Biden-Harris administration unveiled a 10-year National Plan on Native Revitalization at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the cultural heritage and linguistic diversity among Indigenous communities.
“Indigenous languages are central to our cultures, our lifeways, and who we are as people,” stated Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland. “They connect us to our ancestors, to our homelands, and to our place in the world.” The plan is a collaborative effort from various government agencies to address language loss among Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander groups.
Developed by the Departments of the Interior, Education, and Health and Human Services, the National Plan seeks to rectify historical injustices linked to the Federal Indian Boarding School system, which sought to assimilate Indigenous peoples and suppress their languages.
The plan emphasizes that “Congressional authorization and funding of this Plan will reduce the number of vulnerable and endangered Native languages and increase the number of proficient Native language speakers, as defined by Native Americans.” This underscores the need for legislative action to ensure the survival of Indigenous languages.
Back in 2021, the Department of Interior launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. The initiative’s reports highlighted the profound impacts on Indigenous communities, listing all federally operated schools.
Notably, President Joe Biden was the first acting president to offer a formal apology to Indigenous communities for the government’s role in these policies.
According to the plan, the legacy of forced assimilation threatens the survival of many Native languages, with the report warning that fewer than 20 Indigenous languages may remain by 2050 if no action is taken. Currently, 167 Indigenous languages are spoken.
“We use language to write history, share knowledge, map the future, and pass down traditions,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra. “Investing in language revitalization strengthens communities and contributes to their resiliency.”
The plan outlines key investments in Indigenous language programs within the educational sector, aiming to enhance academic outcomes for Indigenous youth. It advocates for strategic investments in teaching core subjects in Indigenous languages.
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona remarked, “I always say: multilingualism is a superpower—and that includes Native American languages.” His travels through Indian Country allowed him to learn words in the Oneida, Dakota, and Nakota languages, reinforcing the importance of language in cultural identity.
Cardona expressed hope that the national plan will serve as a step towards redressing the government’s involvement in policies detrimental to Indigenous communities. “I am hopeful we can all choose to keep fighting for a future where Native communities have the tools and support to keep their languages alive and their cultures thriving,” he added.
The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) supports 187 schools for Indigenous students, aiming to offer culturally relevant education. Despite its mission, BIE only began receiving language revitalization funding in 2017, with annual appropriations not surpassing $7.5 million.
During the summit, the Department of Interior announced a partnership with the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education, providing BIE schools with $7.5 million from existing grants to launch or expand immersion programs. “This funding will help build a network of BIE schools committed to integrating Native language immersion and cultural education into their curricula, offering students the tools to connect with their language and heritage,” the department stated.
The initiatives outlined in the National Plan for Native Language Revitalization are part of a broader strategy to ensure the protection, preservation, and reclamation of Indigenous languages throughout the United States.
This story is provided by Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence.
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