The Confederated Umatilla Tribes of Oregon are working hard to preserve their three tribal languages.

Of 2,525 members, only 44 elders speak the Cayuse/Nez Perce, Umatilla and Walla Walla languages fluently. But with grants from federal and private sources, the tribe has developed programs to teach the languages to a new generation and to turn the new speakers into instructors.

The tribe is also developing a dictionary for the languages.

Get the Story:
Grants fund program preserving tribal languages (The East Oregonian 10/28)

Relevant Links:
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation - http://www.umatilla.nsn.us