Umatilla Tribes aim to keep languages alive for new generation

Tuesday, September 17, 2013  

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon are working to keep the Umatilla, Walla Walla and Nez Perce alive for new generations.

The Umatilla language is down to just 50 fluent speakers. Walla Walla only has five, The East Oregonian reported.

“We need to teach the language while the speakers are still here, (while) they’re still alive," Carina Vasquez-Minthorn told the paper.

The tribe offers classes in the three languages.

Get the Story:
Tribe fights to keep language alive (The East Oregonian 9/17)
Tribe works to keep Umatilla language alive (The East Oregonian 9/17)