American Indian Education Knowledgbase

Native American Languages with Map

This website lists the mapped native languages of the Americas, which are among the most numerous and varied in the world, and provides scholars with rich sources of information on the many ways people make speech and language.  The number of distinct languages in North America figures in the hundreds, however, by studying similarities and differences, scientists have placed most tribes into one of about 12 groups.

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 - A NIEA Summary

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 was passed as the largest education civil rights law to better support low-income, minority, and disadvantaged students. From 2001 to 2015, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) iteration of the ESEA dictated how public schools served students nationally. NCLB emphasized a high-stakes testing culture and tied teacher performance to student outcomes. The reauthorization of the ESEA, in December 2015, named the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) fundamentally changes public education by shifting the power and autonomy from the federal to state governments. Under ESSA, states and local districts have greater flexibility in educating their students.  The ESSA law places emphasis on state and local innovation and highlights a new era, providing a great deal of flexibility to our states and local districts. NIEA has fought for greater tribal participation in educating Native students. Through ten plus years of advocacy, the ESSA includes several Native specific provisions that will better support Native students.

2007 United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP)

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favor, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine). Click here to view the voting record. In the 11 years that have passed, 4 of the counties that voted against the declaration reversed their decision and now support the declaration.  The goal of the Declaration is to encourage countries to work alongside indigenous peoples to solve global issues, like development, multicultural democracy and decentralization.[10] According to Article 31, there is a major emphasis that the indigenous peoples will be able to protect their cultural heritage and other aspects of their culture and tradition in order to preserve their heritage from over controlling nation-states. Know your Rights - for Indigenous Adolescents

Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006

The Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 amends the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as part of the Native American languages grant program, to make three-year grants for educational Native American language nests, survival schools, and restoration programs.

Know Your Rights - for Indigenous Adolescents

In this publication you will learn about an important international document called the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).  The Declaration explains how the rights of indigenous peoples – including indigenous young people – are to be protected by governments around the world. UNDRIP applies to indigenous peoples as individuals and as a group. Indigenous young people were actively involved in the development of UNDRIP, and they are working hard to make sure governments implement it. This source provides a summary of some of the important language, themes and articles of the document, so that young people can continue to play an important role in ensuring the Declaration is fully implemented around the world.

Native American Languages Act of 1990

This link is to the Native American Languages Act of 1990.

Know the Laws - National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs

This National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs website advocates knowledge of U.S. Native American Language Act (NALA) of 1990, as well as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2016, and what still needs to be done to preserve Native American Languages. 

Native American Language Map

9 Ways the New Education Law Is a Win for Indian Country

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 is a big win for Indian country, according to the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) reports Tanya H. Lee in this February 2016 Indian Country Today article. NIEA Executive Director Ahniwake Rose, Cherokee/Creek, and Federal Policy Associate Dimple Patel explained why in a January 27 webinar, “Understanding the Every Student Succeeds Act.” ESSA, signed into law by President Obama on December 10, reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, a piece of civil rights legislation meant to protect the nation’s most vulnerable children. ESSA replaces the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act and shifts much of the responsibility for elementary and secondary education from the federal government to the states.  For the first time ever, states and local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to engage in meaningful consultation with tribes or tribal organizations in the development of state plans for Title I grants. Further, LEAs must consult with tribes before making any decision that affects opportunities for American Indian/Alaska Native students in programs, services or activities funded by ESSA.

American Indian Language Policy and School Success

Authored by Dr. Jon Reyhner, Northern Arizona University, this article discusses the link between students' academic success and their retention of their native language and culture.

*NEW video* The Navajo Code Talkers, Our Heroes

This video was shown in the House of Representatives at the Arizona State Capital during the Navajo Code Talker Monument dedication on February 28, 2008.

An Emerging Native Language Education Framework for Reservation Public Schools with Mixed Populations

This 2008 Volume 47, Issue 2 of the Journal of American Indian Education, author Phyllis Bo-yuen Ngai, gathered grassroots input across communities with mixed populations like the Flathead Indian Reservation Montana. Study participants suggested approaches for dealing with existing obstacles and ways to include diverse, local perspectives.  The emerging framework presented here consists of prerequisite conditions, action steps, and program elements that are abstracted from their district-based recommendations and reservation-wide recommendations.  This initial blueprint includes guidelines for increasing and improving Native language learning on, and possibly beyond, the research sites.

True Whispers: The Story of Navajo Code Talkers (Video)

Debuted in 2002, TRUE WHISPERS tells the moving and personal story of the World War II Navajo Code Talkers. Recruited as teenagers from harsh government and mission schools where they were forbidden to use their native language, they served as U.S. Marines from 1942-1945 utilizing that very language to transmit vital coded messages that were key to the U.S. victory in the Pacific. The wartime contributions of these Native Americans went unrecognized for over fifty years and this documentary, uniquely positioned from their point of view including cultural, personal and intimate moments, provides part of the long overdue tribute they deserve. "True Whispers" is directed and written by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl and produced by Gale Anne Hurd and Valerie Red-Horse Mohl in association with ITVS, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Native American Languages Act: Twenty Years Later, Has It Made a Difference?

This July 18, 2012 Cultural Survival article explores United States government policy, namely in 1990, Congress passed the Native American Languages Act (NALA), recognizing that “the status of the cultures and languages of Native Americans is unique and the United States has the responsibility to act together with Native Americans to ensure [their] survival.” The article reviews that Congress updated the NALA in 1992, adding a grant program to “assist Native Americans in assuring the survival and continuing vitality of their languages.”   Additional financing became available through the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 (with an additional $12 million in 2009). After review of current Native Language legislation, this article ponders, "Native American Languages Act: Twenty Years Later, Has It Made a Difference?"