With fewer than 10 fluent speakers left, the Yurok Tribe of California is working hard to preserve its language.

The tribe has developed a Yurok-English dictionary and offers evening classes. But now students at a local high school can learn the language.

“The tribe has been on an aggressive mission for the last 15 years to restore and revive our language," Jim McQuillen, the tribe's education director, told The Daily Triplicate.

Under a new state law, the tribe has recommended six language teachers for certification. Barbara McQuillen, Jim's sister, is teaching the Yurok class at Del Norte High School.

“They have the opportunity to make sure the language doesn’t die,” McQuillen told the paper, referring to the 22 student in her class.

Get the Story:
Back from the brink: Learning the Yurok language (The Daily Triplicate 10/18)