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ANA Language Preservation & Maintenance Grant
(2024)
Abstract
This funded project addresses the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes current community condition of rapid language loss and emerged in direct response to the Tribes' Declaration of a Language Loss Emergency, on March 6, 2024. The project aims to increase Native language use and proficiency among adult Tribal community members, through the implementation of adult Native language education programming and structured intergenerational learning opportunities. Project activities are focused on three major objectives: (1) to increase the Native language use and proficiency of at least 120 adult Tribal community members by the end of the project, (2) to increase the frequency of intergenerational home language use among at least 170 Tribal community parents and caregivers, and (3) to increase the Tribes' capacity to provide accessible and high quality Native language lessons and materials to all Tribal community members, through the development of 10 online instructional units in Paiute and Shoshoni. Services include adult Native language classes offered in-person, with options for joining remotely; the development of home language practice activities to be shared with elementary students and their parents and caregivers; and the development of a Shoshone-Paiute Tribes Native Language Website. The project also creates job opportunities for Tribal community members in project management, language program coordination, and language teaching. Regular language teaching professional development will also be offered, through a partnership with Boise State University. Anticipated outcomes include (a) an increase in the number of adult Tribal community members using Paiute and Shoshoni frequently and conversing with ease in a variety of contexts, (b) an increase in the number of adult Tribal community members using Paiute and Shoshoni at home with children, and (c) an increase in the number of adult Tribal community members using high quality Native language resources for study and practice. The project is designed to unite all generations in a common mission of language revitalization. The Tribes believe that, with great awareness and effort, the community can come together and reclaim our languages by breathing life into them, bringing them back to their rightful place, at the center of our lives and culture.
 
Keywords
  • Native language revitalization
Disciplines
Publication Date
2024
Citation Information
"ANA Language Preservation & Maintenance Grant" (2024)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/casey_keck/23/