ANA Invests $2.6 Million to Boost Vitality of Native Languages

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families will invest over $2.6 million in Native communities through its Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance and Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance — Esther Martinez Immersion (EMI) programs.  

Patrice H. Kunesh, ANA commissioner, celebrated these new awards and said, “Boosting the vitality of Native language programs is critical to preserving culture and sovereignty.”

In July, ANA awarded $2,178,641 to eight Native communities under the P&M grant program. These new projects will train and credential language teachers, while also developing learning resources for all generations. Ultimately, the projects will foster family and community connections through language.

“Preservation and revitalization of indigenous languages is a priority to the tribal leaders I have interacted with, and it’s a priority to the Biden-Harris administration,” said ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras, who recently visited a Native language grant recipient as she concludes her service at ACF. “From Head Start classrooms to multi-generational virtual learning programs, the passing down of Native languages is strengthening the well-being of children and families.”

Under the EMI program, ANA will fund two language programs totaling $505,749: a language immersion program in the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton, Minnesota; and a Native American Language Nest as part the Euchee (Yuchi) Language Project, Inc., in Glenpool, Oklahoma.

One of ANA’s newest community partners, the Phoenix Indian Center , provides urban Native Americans an access point to learn Native languages in the Phoenix area. The Center recognizes the diversity of the Native urban community and the diversity of languages throughout Arizona.  According to the US Census, more than half (53%) of Native Americans in Arizona (the majority of whom are Navajo) speak only English in the home. With its ANA funds, the Center’s participants will build Native language proficiency by attending classes via virtual technology and interactive learning.

 “This is heart work,” added Kunesh. “Strengthening the presence of Native languages in every Native community is essential to preserving Native culture, traditions and identity.”

Grant partners are slated to start projects with periods ranging from two to five years this summer following grant investment notification.

New FY 2023 EMI grant partners:

• Euchee (Yuchi) Language Project, Inc.; Glenpool, Oklahoma.
• Lower Sioux Indian Community; Morton, Minnesota.

New FY 2023 P&M grant partners:

• Bay Mills Indian Community; Brimley, Michigan.
• Chickahominy Indian Tribe; Providence Forge, Virginia.
• Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Durant, Oklahoma.
• Halau Ku Mana New Century Public Charter School; Honolulu, Hawaii.
• Kahuli Leo Lea; Kaneohe, Hawaii.
• Minneapolis American Indian Center; Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Phoenix Indian Center; Phoenix, Arizona.
• Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe; Hogansburg, New York.

For more information, visit:  Current Grantees | The Administration for Children and Families (hhs.gov).

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