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Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act facts for kids

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The Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act is a special law. It helps fund programs that work to keep Native American languages alive. The law is named after Esther Martinez. She was a teacher and storyteller who lived to be 94 years old. Esther Martinez was famous for her hard work to save the Tewa language. Sadly, she died in a car accident in 2006. This happened just days after she won a big award for her efforts to preserve the Tewa language.

In 2012, the Voice of America talked about this law. They said that languages are a very important part of American heritage. Once a language is lost, it can never be brought back. The law helps keep Native American languages alive through programs called language immersion. In these programs, the native language is used most of the time. Students learn different subjects and talk to each other using that language.

The Esther Martinez Native Languages Programs Reauthorization Act was passed in the House of Representatives on December 9, 2019. It is now waiting to be signed into law.

History of the Act

In December 2006, the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act became a law. President George W. Bush signed it. This law allowed money to be given to Native American tribes. This funding helps them create new programs. These programs work to stop the loss of their heritage and culture.

The law helps fund different types of language teaching programs:

  • Native American language nests
  • Native American language survival schools
  • Native American language restoration programs

What are Language Nests?

Native American language nests are like special daycares or preschools. They teach young children under seven years old.

  • Children learn and play using a Native American language.
  • They spend at least 500 hours a year learning in the language.
  • Parents of these children can also take classes in the language.
  • The Native American language is the main language used in the nest.

What are Language Survival Schools?

Native American language survival schools are for older students. For many students, this is their main school.

  • Students get at least 500 hours of instruction each year.
  • They learn through the use of at least one Native American language.
  • These schools create lessons and materials. The goal is for students to become fluent in the language.
  • Students also become good at math, reading, and science.
  • The schools also train teachers to teach in these languages.
  • These schools are usually in areas with many Native American students.
  • Schools applying for money must have at least three years of experience. This could be running a survival school, a language nest, or another language program.

What are Language Restoration Programs?

Native American language restoration programs help the whole community.

  • They run at least one language program for the people they serve.
  • They train teachers to teach these languages.
  • They create new materials for teaching Native American languages.

Money was set aside for these programs from 2008 to 2012.

Updates on the Law

In 2012, members of Congress from New Mexico worked to extend the program. They wanted to continue the funding for another five years. Senator Tom Udall and Representatives Martin Heinrich, Ben Ray Lujan, and Steve Pearce supported this effort.

Since 2000, almost $50 million has been given out through this program. This money has helped fund 390 grants. These grants help save Native languages through language immersion programs.

Willard Gilbert, who was the president of the National Indian Education Association, shared some important facts. In 1996, there were 175 Native American languages still spoken. But he warned that by the year 2050, only twenty of these languages might still be spoken. This will happen without urgent help to keep them alive.

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