Indigenous Languages

Navajo University Offers First PhD in Diné

A tribal university on the largest Native American reservation in the US has become the first of more than 30 accredited tribal colleges across the country, to launch its doctoral program.  The newly announced program...

Guam Celebrates Mes CHamoru by learning the language

On this year’s Mes CHamoru, or ‘Chamorro Heritage Day’ native Guam islanders asked people to celebrate by learning the CHamoru language. Despite changing over time, the CHamoru language links today’s islanders with the Chamorro people...

Activists warn Russian languages are disappearing faster than data suggests

Activists in Russia have warned that hundreds of rare languages spoken by Russia’s ethnic and indigenous minorities are disappearing at an alarming rate.  It is thought by linguistic experts that these languages are becoming obsolete...

Yukon: Indigenous language program showcased at cultural celebrations

Last week a youth group from the Council of Yukon First Nations’ (CYFN) “Language Leaders Tomorrow” program. performed a multilingual version of How the Raven Stole the Sun at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre...

Canada Settles Cultural and Linguistic ‘Genocide’ Suit

Canada has agreed to pay out C$2.8 billion ($2.09 billion) to settle a decade-long lawsuit seeking reparations for the loss of language and Indigenous culture caused by the residential school system. The class-action lawsuit, first...

UN Launches Ten-Year ‘Survival Plan’ for Endangered Languages

In a landmark move before the close of 2022, the United Nations finally launched what it calls the International Decade of Indigenous Languages—a ten-year “survival plan” to protect global Indigenous languages from extinction, in...

Minnesota: Karen language classes to make a debut in St Paul Public Schools 

For the first time this coming September, Karen (or Karenic) language education will be introduced to four district high schools in St Paul, Minnesota.  It is believed to be an all-time first for Karen language...

February Marks the tenth anniversary of Hawaiian Language Month

For the tenth consecutive year, February marks Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi or Hawaiian Language Month.Established by the University of Hawaii in 2013, each February commemorates the native language of Hawaii - its preservation, Hawaiian culture...

Canada Settles Cultural and Linguistic ‘Genocide’ Suit

Canada has agreed to pay out C$2.8bn ($2.09bn) to settle a decade-long lawsuit seeking reparations for the loss of language and indigenous culture caused by the residential school system. The class-action lawsuit first presented by...

Campaign Seeks to Silence Indigenous Voice in Australian Parliament

An Australian group has launched a campaign against a scheduled referendum to allow Indigenous Australians a voice in parliament, claiming it would not fully resolve issues that affect them. The landmark referendum due to...
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