Alaska Native Languages
Save
Alaska Native Languages constitute a diverse group of languages spoken by the indigenous peoples of Alaska. As everyday communication, many Alaska Native Languages are facing decline and endangerment. Communities across Alaska, tribal entities, and scholars are collaborating to revitalize these languages for a variety of reasons including language preservation, cultural continuity, and language rights.
Historical Suppression of Alaska Native Languages
Alaska Native Languages are the traditional languages of the indigenous peoples of Alaska. The suppression of Alaska Native Languages began with the arrival of Russian colonizers in the 18th century and continued with the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the U.S. government implemented a policy of assimilation that sought to suppress Alaska Native languages and cultures. This policy included the establishment of boarding schools where Native children were forced to attend and forbidden to speak their Native languages.
The suppression of Alaska Native languages had a devastating impact on Alaska Native communities. Many Native children were punished for speaking their Native languages in boarding schools. As a result, many Native people stopped speaking their Native languages and switched to English. This language shift has had a negative impact on Alaska Native cultures and identities.
