2019 Indigenous Languages Celebration

The University of Utah's Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) and the Asia Center are honored to share the impact of the 2019 Indigenous Language Celebration held November 11th-16th. 

As Title VI National Resource Centers both the Asia Center and CLAS serve as hubs for Asia and Latin American-related activities at the University of Utah and the region. In response to the United Nations declaration making 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages, the centers partnered with local institutes of higher education and community groups to coordinate a series of celebratory and informative events at Salt Lake Community College, the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and the Salt Lake City Public Library.

More than 400 people participated in a total of 13 total events. In the culminating celebration, students studying indigenous languages as well as first-language speakers and community members all came together to honor stories, share a meal, and reflect on their experiences with indigenous languages. Languages present at the event included: Kichwa, Euskera, Ute, Diné, Nahuatl, Samoan, K’iche’, Kaqchikel, Mapundungun, Tseltal, and Tsotsil. The following highlighted storytellers shared stories, music, and dance:

• Ute language- Aldean Ketchum, Ute Tribe, Weenuch Band
• K’iche’ language- Antonio Guachiac and Angela Guachiac Tepaz
• Samoan Language- Malialole Group

Globally, there are approximately 7,000 indigenous languages spoken in 90 countries, representing 5,000 indigenous cultures, and roughly 2,600 are in danger.