Halito akana (Hello friends),
Indigenous languages are fundamental indicators of the state of biological and cultural diversity on Mother Earth. Reports from the United Nations indicate that ecosystems stewarded by Indigenous Peoples retain the highest measures of biodiversity, while biodiversity hotspots also sustain high linguistic diversity. Yet, many Indigenous languages are highly endangered, mirroring the decline of biodiversity and showing us how they are intertwined.
The United Nations estimates that by the year 2100, more than half of the world’s languages—most of them Indigenous—will go silent. The latest issue of the CSQ is dedicated to Indigenous leaders on the frontlines of climate change, working on several fronts to safeguard their languages, cultures, and environments. Climate change is one of the drivers of the loss of Indigenous languages—putting Traditional Ecological Knowledge at risk. This heavily impacts cultural landscapes, subsistence patterns, food sovereignty, and the well being of
Indigenous Peoples and all life around the world. Embedded in our languages is the knowledge that we must embrace our critical
stewardship responsibilities and seek to balance and rebalance our relationships with the world and beings around us. We know we must constantly tend to a sustainable way of life and resist entrapment into a way of life that drives overconsumption, ecocide, biodiversity loss, and climate change, as well as inequity and injustice.
In this issue, authors address how climate change impacts Indigenous languages, how new terminology and concepts are formed under the pressures of climate change, and what solutions are offered within Indigenous languages to mitigate climate change by returning to our original teachings and revitalizing sustainable lifeways. They share how Indigenous practices, knowledge, and languages are adapting to new realities and how Indigenous languages can contribute effective responses to climate change. The future of Indigenous languages is a key element of cultural revitalization, ecological stewardship, biodiversity protection, and community resilience.
Our languages—intertwined with our lifeways —offer pathways for climate solutions.
On my journey to learn Chahta anumpa (Choctaw language), I am reminded that our language defines who we are. By inherently holding us to our traditional values, Chahta anumpa guides us to hina hanta—the bright path —and how to live in balance with our kin and all life around us. I also often reflect on the wise words of LaDonna Harris (Comanche) from her paper, “Indigeneity, an alternative worldview: four R’s (relationship, responsibility, reciprocity, redistribution) vs. two P’s (power and profit). Sharing the journey towards conscious evolution.” She describes one of the features of Indigeneity as “dynamic inclusivity”—the ability to hold our core values even while we entertain new ideas. This adherence to our values and knowledge systems is what has allowed Indigenous Peoples to survive despite drastic changes over time. The key is to balance the old and the new, and the ability to do this is one reason we need to look to Indigenous Peoples for leadership on climate change.
With the close of 2024 approaching, I am grateful for your ongoing commitment to Cultural Survival. Your partnership supports Indigenous Peoples in safeguarding knowledge systems and languages for future generations and allows us to amplify Indigenous voices in leading the way to climate change solutions. Help us raise $250,000 by December 31, 2024. We cannot do it without you! Please give generously at www.cs.org/donate.
With wishes for a healthy, abundant, just, and peaceful holiday season and new year,
Hטchi yakoke li hoke (I thank you all so much),
Aimee Roberson (Choctaw and Chickasaw),
Executive Director
