WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

AIHECs Native Languages Initiative began in 2019 with a discovery project to survey Tribal College and University (TCU) Native language programs. AIHEC worked with TCU faculty and administrators to map resources, identify needs, inventory best practices and pinpoint successful models used in Indigenous language teaching and revitalization. Virtual campus site visits were conducted, followed by regional meetings to prioritize needs. Based on this data, a national strategy and action plan to teach and maintain Native languages was developed.

ACTION PLAN

The action plan focuses on capacity building and leveraging resources in Native language teaching and preservation. It is guided by four strategic directions that address understanding of what resources are needed to maintain thriving language programs; sharing of best practices in developing new materials for program sustainability; supporting TCU development of alignment of curriculum, standards, and assessment; and understanding Native language revitalization within a larger ecosystem.

ACTION PLAN

The action plan focuses on capacity building and leveraging resources in Native language teaching and preservation. It is guided by four strategic directions that address understanding of what resources are needed to maintain thriving language programs; sharing of best practices in developing new materials for program sustainability; supporting TCU development of alignment of curriculum, standards, and assessment; and understanding Native language revitalization within a larger ecosystem.

FOUR STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

Building text corpora in
Native languages,
including references and
pedagogical materials
Curriculum support,
including preparation of
standards and assessments
Addressing Native language revitalization within the
larger community

Native language outreach and policy development

FOUR STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

Building text corpora in
Native languages,
including references and
pedagogical materials
Curriculum support,
including preparation of
standards and assessments
Addressing Native language revitalization within the
larger community

Native language outreach and policy development

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

The Community of Practice will assist language faculty, researchers, and others in sharing information about their Native language programs with other TCUs. This is done through various outlets such as the annual TCU Native Language Summit and the Professional Development Workshop series. Information will be shared here on the virtual National TCU Center of Excellence on Native Languages website and other media outlets.

COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

The Community of Practice will assist language faculty, researchers, and others in sharing information about their Native language programs with other TCUs. This is done through various outlets such as the annual TCU Native Language Summit and the Professional Development Workshop series. Information will be shared here on the virtual National TCU Center of Excellence on Native Languages website and other media outlets.

RESEARCH

Research remains at the forefront of the Center of Excellence. Work is being done to document text corpora for the 29 languages taught at the TCUs, identify gaps, and assist TCUs in addressing prerequisites needed to develop or update standard language resources. Text corpora are the building blocks of language teaching and revitalization. Research is also being done to explore cultural strategies for restoration of social harmony to heal from historical and personal trauma.

RESEARCH

Research remains at the forefront of the Center of Excellence. Work is being done to document text corpora for the 29 languages taught at the TCUs, identify gaps, and assist TCUs in addressing prerequisites needed to develop or update standard language resources. Text corpora are the building blocks of language teaching and revitalization. Research is also being done to explore cultural strategies for restoration of social harmony to heal from historical and personal trauma.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Center of Excellence will continue to contribute to the narrative of language revitalization and build a thriving Community of Practice through research and collaboration to help ensure Native languages remain spoken and heard. As we gather outcomes from the strategic directions, we will work with TCUs to develop an ongoing plan for the future.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Center of Excellence will continue to contribute to the narrative of language revitalization and build a thriving Community of Practice through research and collaboration to help ensure Native languages remain spoken and heard. As we gather outcomes from the strategic directions, we will work with TCUs to develop an ongoing plan for the future.

VISION

AIHEC is committed to reclaiming the words of our ancestors. Our languages, our cultures, and traditions are our very identity as Indigenous peoples and connect the past with the future.

MISSION

Leverage resources to build TCU and Tribal community capacity and to implement and continuously improve a Tribal Native Language Revitalization Strategy.

GOALS

Establish a networked, vibrant community of practice among TCU Native languages faculty, researchers, and partners; and ensure that each TCU language program has the infrastructure needed to thrive.

VISION

AIHEC is committed to reclaiming the words of our ancestors. Our languages, our cultures, and traditions are our very identity as Indigenous peoples and connect the past with the future.

MISSION

Leverage resources to build TCU
and Tribal community capacity
and to implement and
continuously improve a Tribal
Native Language Revitalization
Strategy.

GOALS

Establish a networked, vibrant
community of practice among
TCU Native languages faculty,
researchers, and partners; and
ensure that each TCU language
program has the infrastructure
needed to thrive.
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