ABOUT THE NATIONAL COALITION
who we are
The National Coalition of Native American Language Schools and Programs (National Coalition) advocates for the use of Indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in our community-led schools and programs.
We empower students, families, teachers and our community-led Native American language medium schools and programs by strengthening public policy.
The National Coalition brings together schools and programs that utilize Indigenous languages as the medium of instruction under the provisions of the U.S. federal Native American Languages Act of 1990 (NALA). Indigenous language medium schools and programs (sometimes called immersion or dual language programs) educate students through an Indigenous language.
National Coalition advocates come from a wide variety of jurisdictions, including, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, state public schools, charter schools, and private non-profit schools. National Coalition advocates range from infant care, preschool programs, elementary schools, secondary schools to tertiary education. These schools and programs are in seventeen states and U.S. territories.
Indigenous languages are a strength upon which to build better futures academically, socially, and economically. They strengthen the rights of freedom to use a distinctive official language of a sovereign government of a tribe, Alaska Native village, a state, or territory.
Formally established in 2014 at the Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium (SILS) conference in Hilo, Hawaii, National Coalition advocates have been meeting informally for over 20 years.
Recognition
The National Coalition of Native American Language Schools & Programs is honored to have received the 2017 Dr. William Demmert Cultural Freedom Award by the National Indian Education Association. This award recognizes the remarkable lifetime work, efforts, and accomplishments of Kaagoowu (Dr. William Demmert) and honors the educators and advocates who continue to make a lasting impact on Native American education.
our leadership
The National Coalition's leadership includes Indigenous educators, public policy specialists & advocates with decades of experience with public policy & Indigenous language revitalization:
Leslie Harper (Minnesota) - President
Namaka Rawlins (Hawaii) - Vice-President
Abaki Beck (Minnesota) - Communications, Social Media & Website
Brooke Ammann (Wisconsin) - Steering committee
Dr. Rosalyn LaPier (Montana) - Steering committee
Dr. William H. Wilson (Hawaii) - Steering committee
Indigenous Language Medium Schools & Programs
The National Coalition advocates for the use of Indigenous languages as the medium of instruction, in: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Massachusetts, Montana, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The National Coalition advocates for the use of Indigenous languages as the medium of instruction, including: Arapaho, Blackfeet, Central Alaskan Yup’ik, Chamoru, Cherokee, Chinuk Wawa, Hawaiian, Lakota, Mohawk, Navajo, Ojibwe, Salish, Shoshone, Tewa, Tlingit, Wôpanâak and others.
Our Support
The National Coalition is supported through individual donations, in-kind support and the generosity of foundations, such as The Henry Luce Foundation.
contact us
Contact us at ncnalsp@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.
At our most recent Summit and Convening in February, 2023 in Hilo, Hawaii
At the 2014 Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium (SILS) Conference in Hilo, Hawai’i, where we were formally founded.
Front Row: Leslie Harper (Ojibwe, Minnesota), LaRae Wiley (Salish, Washington), Sally Samson (Yupʻik Ayaprun Elitnaurvik, Alaska), Renissa McLaughlin (Eastern Band Cherokee, North Carolina), Terrie Kinsey (Sauk, Oklahoma), & Holly Davis (Cherokee, Oklahoma).
Mid Row: Pila Wilson (Hawaiʻi), Florian Johnson (Navajo, Arizona), Rosalyn LaPier (Blackfeet/Metis, Montana), Brooke Ammann (Ojibwe, Wisconsin), Kathy Cole (Grand Ronde, Oregon), & Audra Platero (Navajo, Arizona).
Back Row: Jeremiah Maylee, Burnett Whiteplume (Arapaho, Wyoming), Kevin Fields (Seminole, Oklahoma), Nāmaka Rawlins (Hawaiʻi), & Sacheen Whitetail Cross (Lakota, North Dakota).