Heartbeat of the Nation: Preserving Diné Bizaad at Navajo Technical University

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  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education. P.O. Box 720, Mancos, CO 81328. Tel: 888-899-6693; Fax: 970-533-9145; Web site: http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Navajo (Nation); Language Maintenance; Community Education; Native Language Instruction; Bilingualism; Quality of Life; Minority Serving Institutions; Tribally Controlled Education; Cultural Maintenance; Sociolinguistics; College Role; Indigenous Knowledge; Partnerships in Education; Indigenous Populations; Language Research; Multicampus Colleges; American Indian Languages; American Indian History
    • Subject Terms:
      New Mexico; Arizona
    • ISSN:
      1052-5505
      2163-3630
    • Abstract:
      Preserving the Navajo language, or "Diné bizaad," is of profound importance for all Indigenous people in the United States, as Navajo is one of the more widely spoken Native languages yet is still facing the early stages of endangerment. Currently, the Navajo Nation, like other tribes, lacks a significant presence of community-based language initiatives. There are great advantages of bilingualism and for the integration of linguistic elements within educational and societal programs, which ultimately contributes to enhanced outcomes in the realms of education, healthcare, and economic prosperity. Part of the critical mission at Navajo Technical University (NTU) is preserving and sustaining Diné bizaad throughout its multicampus setting. NTU contributes to Navajo language conservation and continuity, serving as a foundation for its perpetuation. The Navajo Language Academy, founded by several Navajo linguists along with Dr. Theodore Fernald, serves as a hub for linguistic research and scholarship. Language is the bridge that connects us to our roots, carrying the wisdom, stories, and values of generations past. It is the heartbeat of cultural identity, an embodiment of the rich tapestry of history, and a living testament to the resilience of Indigenous communities. In an era when Indigenous languages are at risk of fading into silence, the efforts of institutions like Navajo Technical University offer hope.
    • Abstract:
      ERIC
    • Publication Date:
      2024
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1425892