Indigenous people — also called Tribal Peoples, First Peoples, or Native Peoples, depending on the country — make up around 6.2% of the world’s population, or approximately 476 million people, according to the World Bank. In North America alone, there are more than 300 indigenous languages spoken: around 176 in the United States (US), 70 in Canada, and 1 in Greenland. However, these languages face an uncertain future. The United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) warns that the global rate of language extinction currently sits at an alarming one indigenous language every two weeks.

The threat of disappearance underscores the importance of undertaking revitalization and preservation efforts before it’s too late. This article highlights five organizations in North America that are leading the way towards the successful restoration and preservation of indigenous languages and cultures.

1. Cultural Survival  

Established in 1972, this Massachusetts-based non-profit organization is one of the continent’s longest-standing establishments for the advocacy of indigenous peoples. Cultural Survival’s primary mission is to educate, empower, and advocate for their legal rights, including the freedom to speak their native language(s). The organization molds its strategic framework around current issues and goals as they evolve, revising it on a quadrennial basis, helping to ensure best practices and guidance for indigenous communities. Most notable are the organization’s diverse efforts — such as grantmaking, communication, and capacity building — to significantly increase public awareness and support. Example initiatives include Human Rights Defenders Training, Cultural Survival Quarterly magazine, Cultural Survival Bazaar festival, and Indigenous Rights Radio. Not only does the organization advocate for preservation of indigenous languages domestically, but also for justice on a global scale, making it a valuable player in the fight against language extinction.

2. First People’s Cultural Council (FPCC)

Located in the heart of Canada’s British Colombia, the FPCC is a one-of-a-kind Crown Corporation originally created by the provincial government in 1990 through the First People’s Heritage, Language and Culture Act. FPCC assists First Nations in the province in their efforts to revitalize their languages, arts, cultures, and heritage. The organization supports 204 First Nations communities covering 36 languages and 90+ dialects. For the 2023-24 fiscal year alone, the organization invested $48.6 million to support programs in these communities, along with a reported $35.6 million specifically dedicated to funding language revitalization efforts. The FPCC has a strategic partnership with the Endangered Languages Project team at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa and also has a position on the Governance Council. 

3. Indigenous Language Institute (ILI)

Based out of Santa Cruz, New Mexico, the ILI is best known for its remote, yet hands-on approach to intergenerational language revitalization efforts. Founded in 1992, this non-profit organization creates tailored workshops and hands-on training, as well as hosts the ILI Symposium, all of which are focused on ensuring that indigenous languages are kept alive through active daily use by every generation. The organization prioritizes a critical yet often overlooked aspect of indigenous language revitalization: learning directly from older generations through collaboration and community empowerment. The ILI serves indigenous communities not only within New Mexico, but also in all 50 US states, making it a true national effort for preservation.

4. The Language Conservancy (TLC)

With two decades of service, this Indiana-based non-profit organization is an exceptional treasure trove for indigenous language education. TLC is best known for developing educational resources and providing training that increases community engagement and makes languages easily accessible. Since 2005, TLC has been led by indigenous educators and activists who strive to make learning indigenous languages as commonplace as learning any other language.

The organization offers multiple methods for bringing about public awareness and training the next generation of linguists. However, its superpower comes from its consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — a credential very few indigenous organizations have achieved, as it is uncommon among North American language groups. With this title, TLC is able to participate in UN conferences, contribute to policy discussions on a global scale, and collaborate on indigenous issues beyond the continental border. The organization’s successful efforts have led it to be able to actively support 47 distinct indigenous languages across its educational materials, and 50 through strategic funding efforts and technical assistance within indigenous communities. 

5. Native Language Immersion Initiative (NLII)

The NLII was established in 2017 by the First Nations Development Institute as a way to offset the growing number of indigenous languages losing native speakers in North America by establishing infrastructure and models for native language immersion programs. While the First Nations Development Institute strictly focuses on improving economic conditions for Native Americans, the NLII was designed to focus on those linguistic aspects not already covered. Headquartered in the US state of Colorado, the initiative proved to be more than just a one-time investment project like it was originally intended to be, and has successfully been able to continue this critical work through generous funding from high-stakes institutions such as Wells Fargo and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The NLII has made a name for itself by focusing on inviting curiosity from outside of the indigenous community to truly understand the inner-workings of such an initiative that relies on collective community effort to succeed. The organization provides resources for both current and potential investors, providing education on why these initiatives are critical to the survival of indigenous languages.