Native America Calling: Language teachers celebrate success on Indigenous Peoples Day

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Native America Calling: Language teachers celebrate success on Indigenous Peoples Day

Monday, October 13, 2025

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Language teachers celebrate success on Indigenous Peoples Day

After an intensive two-year adult immersion program, the number of fluent Spokane Salish language speakers nearly doubled.

The success represents the work of the Spokane Language House, a non-profit that is funded and supported by the Spokane Tribe in Washington state. Now, some of the immersion program graduates will be hired on as full-time language teaching staff as the tribe expands its language revitalization efforts.

Meanwhile, the Yuchi Tribe in Oklahoma has established the Yuchi Language Project. As part of the work, the tribe developed a unique partnership with an Australian Aboriginal nation to exchange ideas for revitalizing both of their endangered languages.

Tune into Native America Calling to hear about these two recent Native language success stories.

Also, hear about a five-part talk show, “Rematriated Voices”, centered on Haudenosaunee culture and principles. The first episode airs on Indigenous Peoples Day on New York PBS affiliate WCNY.

Guests on Native America Calling

Sulustu Barry Moses (Spokane Tribe of Indians), program manager for adult fluency training and executive director of the Spokane Language House

Richard Grounds (Yuchi and Seminole), executive director of the Yuchi Language Project

Michelle Schenandoah (Oneida), founder and executive lead of Rematriation