On February 12-13, 2025, Skaˀnikú·lat Executive Director, Dr. Rosa King traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for Indigenous language revitalization, share the critical needs of Tribal communities, and educate various stakeholders about the history of Federal Trust obligations and Treaty responsibilities. This advocacy included two opportunities: Speaking on an expert panel of Native language advocates at NIEA Hill Week; and a legislative meeting with Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office. Hosted by the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) in the Unites States’ Capitol, Hill Week serves as a platform for Native education leaders, advocates, and federal stakeholders to advance and support initiatives that protect and strengthen Indigenous education, including Native language programs.
On February 12, Dr. King participated in NIEA’s expert panel discussion, Strengthening the Future of Native Languages: Building to Protect and Advance Cultural Heritage, where she shared insights as an Oneida language educator and Executive Director of Skanikulat, Inc. The panel focused on critical priorities, including mandatory federal funding for Native language programs, tribal sovereignty over language education, and alternative teacher credentialing pathways for Indigenous language speakers. During her remarks, Dr. King emphasized the urgent need for sustainable language funding and the critical role Native languages play in self-determination, healing, and community wellness.
The next day on February 13, Dr. King met with representatives from Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office to discuss federal support for Native language revitalization. In this meeting, she highlighted the severe language loss within the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin community, where only two fluent speakers remain out of 17,269 enrolled tribal members. She also underscored that rapid language loss is not just a cultural crisis but also a sovereignty and self-determination issue. We discussed key challenges, including limited federal funding, accreditation barriers for Indigenous language teachers, and the need for stronger protections against the exploitation of Native languages in AI and digital platforms. Dr. King presented critical and tangible recommendations, including the establishment of a Congressional Native Language Task Force to ensure compliance of Federal Trust and Treaty responsibilities as well as the need for tribally controlled teacher certification programs. Senator Baldwin’s team expressed interest in further exploring solutions to sustain Native language programs in the state of Wisconsin.
This trip reinforced the importance of necessary advocacy to ensure that Native languages remain protected, funded, and fully integrated into federal frameworks. As we move forward, Skaˀnikú·lat remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to advance language revitalization efforts for future generations.
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