Tom Udall: “30 years ago this week, the Native American Languages Act, NALA, was signed into law. As we celebrate this momentous…”

“30 years ago this week, the Native American Languages Act, NALA, was signed into law. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, I would like to take some time to reflect. Native languages hold within them the culture, history, and resiliency of their communities, but they are not only crucial to the communities that speak them. Native languages have influenced our shared American history, contributed to our understanding of environmental stewardship, and made the very fabric of our Nation's identity richer. As just one notable example of the impact Native languages have had, in World War I and World War II, Native American soldiers known as Code Talkers used their Native languages to transmit coded tactical messages. Code Talkers were able to improve the speed of communications encryption during both wars, leading directly to American forces out-maneuvering enemy troops in numerous military operations. Yet prior to enactment of the Native American Languages Act in 1990, the United States' Federal policies and practices often resulted in suppression and extermination of Native languages. Recognizing that these past practices were in conflict with the principles of Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs sought to reshape Federal policy to better align with these principles.…”