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.

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.

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.

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.

MEET OUR BOARD & STAFF

STAFF & ADVISORS
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