American Indian/Native Hawaiian Language Revitalization Roundtable Discussion: Bringing Our Languages Home through Community-Based Programs
Cultural Survival convened a forum for dedicated indigenous language practitioners to share local-level curricular, research and community engagement strategies for bringing ancestral languages home to indigenous families in celebration of the year of International Languages.
Indigenous language practitioners are ever-attuned to the consensus-building aspects of language program development, the highly specialized guidance and leadership offered by community elders, and the power to effect generations of change by inspiring the youth of today to become tomorrow's local and international leaders. Dr. Lilikala K. Kame'eleihiwa of the Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawai’ian Studies, University of Hawai'i at Manoa; Dr. Richard A. Grounds and Renee Grounds of the Euchee/Yuchi Language Program; Marcus Briggs-Cloud of the University of Oklahoma and the Norman Office of Indian Education; and Ryan Wilson of the National Alliance to Save Native Languages and the Northern Arapaho Council of Elders presented their community’s work, discussed ongoing coalition-building across tribal and nation state boundaries, and highlighted sources of inspiration which have strengthened revitalization efforts and built critical momentum across indigenous communities.
