It has been estimated that a language disappears every 14 days. When that happens, the key to cultural, historic, and spiritual values can die. As Yakama tribal elder Virginia Beavert, who helped preserve and protect the Sahaptin language said, "One day the government will come back and ask you two things 'Do you speak your language?' and 'Do you practice your religion?'. If we cannot answer "yes" to those two questions, our sovereignty is at stake."
The hosts of Tillicum Wawa are happy to be interviewing Bryan Hudson, Jr., who is working through the University of Utah to help preserve the Shoshone language on August 16. Tune in or stream to hear more about the importance of language preservation to First Nations peoples.
This is a photo of Bryan with "Granny" Ball...