Supporting Native American communities in their Indigenous language work
Purpose
In 2022, the Native American Language Resource Centers (NALRC) Act (S.989) established three regional NALRCs - at the University of Arizona, University of Oregon, and Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, Nebraska - and one National Center at the University of Hawai'i - Hilo. The NALRCs represent the first appropriations set forth to enact the 1990 Native American Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2091 et seq.) which states that "the status of the cultures and languages of Native Americans is unique and the United States has the responsibility to act together with Native Americans to ensure the survival of these unique cultures and languages".
The West Regional Native American Language Resource Center (West NALRC) is building on the American Indian Language Development Institute (AILDI)'s 40 years of success and ongoing work in support of Indigenous language efforts in communities of the West region - Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. The West NALRC is located within AILDI and works closely with our partner institutions Tohono O'odham Community College, San Carlos Apache College, and Diné College.
The Center's purpose is to: (1) provide support and advocacy for the inclusion of Native American languages in local, state and regional educational systems; (2) provide training and technical assistance in implementing evidence-based pedagogical strategies, assessments, qualifications and processes for Native American language medium instruction; (3) provide technical assistance to Native American Language Programs seeking other Federal resources; and (4) provide consultation and support for Tribal language programs in the region in implementing and sustaining effective curriculum and other language work.
Certificate Programs
The West Regional NALRC is working to create three AILDI certificate programs in:
- Language immersion instruction
- Mentor/apprentice learning in the Native American Language classroom, and
- Native American Language revitalization.
Learn more about our Certificate Programs here.
RESOURCES
The Stabilizing Indigenous Languages website is curated by John Reyhner (Northern Arizona University) and contains a wealth of Indigenous language resources, from peer-reviewed research to handbooks to relevant non-profit organizations to Tribally led language revitalization initiatives. The Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposia (SILS) has since 1994 sought to bring together language activists and teachers to meet together and with experts on linguistics, language revitalization, and language teaching to support policies, educational reforms, language teaching methods, and community initiatives to maintain and revitalize American Indian, Alaska Native, and other Indigenous languages.
Check out Indigenous Language organizations and projects, Institutes, Certificate Programs and other resources here.
Check out Selected Resources on Native American Language Renewal here.
