Concern regarding indigenous languages has two main facets: the vulnerability of indigenous-language speakers and the vulnerability of the languages themselves. For speakers, denial of language rights may infringe on individual dignity, safety, and life, as well as collective interests in identity, knowledge, and culture. With respect to the vitality of the languages themselves, experts estimate that between 50 percent and 90 percent of the world’s nearly seven thousand languages will be extinct by the year 2100. Recognizing both the vulnerability and importance of indigenous languages, Article 13 of the Declaration provides:

(1) Indigenous peoples have the right to revitalize, use, develop and transmit to future generations their histories, languages, oral traditions, philosophies, writing systems and literatures, and to designate and retain their own names for communities, places and persons.

(2) States shall take effective measures to ensure that this right is protected and to ensure that indigenous peoples can understand and be understood in political, legal and administrative proceedings, where necessary through the provision of interpretation or by other appropriate means.

Indigenous Translations of the Declaration

Resources:

Join Us At NCAI's 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace For Our Breakout Sessions This November

Join Us At NCAI’s 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace For Our Breakout Sessions This November

We hope you can join us in New Orleans this month for our two sessions at the National Congress of ...
Photo of man standing at podium speaking.

Tribal Governments Lead the Way on the International Decade of Indigenous Languages

Cherokee Nation holds the World’s First Event and Promotes Intertribal Resolution By Ariel Barbieri-Aghib, Law Student, University of Colorado Tribal ...
EMRIP Study on Indigenous Languages

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This study outlines international and regional standards on indigenous peoples’ rights to language and culture, describes the relationship between indigenous ...
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Translation & Adoption of the Declaration

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Translation & Adoption of the Declaration

Translation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into Mvskoke: https://creekdistrictcourt.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mvskoke-DRIP-031619.pdf Tribal resolution adopting the Declaration ...
Guide: Know Your Rights! United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Indigenous Adolescents

Guide: Know Your Rights! United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Indigenous Adolescents

https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/un-adolescents-guide2013.pdf The text for Know Your Rights! (written for adolescent boys and girls, aged 13 –18 years) was prepared by ...
British Columbia becomes 1st Canadian province to pass UN Indigenous rights declaration

British Columbia becomes 1st Canadian province to pass UN Indigenous rights declaration

British Columbia has become the first jurisdiction in Canada to pass legislation implementing the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Peoples ...