Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI FOR SE ALASKAN LANGUAGES | HERITAGE FORWARD

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian Language Learning and Resources

SHI's Bent Wood Box for Language Learners

Lingít, X̱aad Kíl, Sm’algya̱x
Restoring Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages is a priority. Across Southeast Alaska, we sponsor programs that document, preserve, and revitalize Native languages.
education & language departments' resources on Language learning

Revitalizing Ancient Languages of Southeast Alaska

Our mission is to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian cultures.

Sealaska Heritage Institute operates programs to revitalize the ancient languages of Southeast Alaska: Lingít (Tlingit), X̱aad Kíl (Haida), and Sm’algya̱x (Tsimshian). The languages were almost lost during a time of severe cultural oppression, but in recent years, a number of young people have learned their ancient tongue and are now teaching it to others with assistance from fluent Elders. SHI has also published a number of language books to document and help revitalize the languages. The languages contain a wealth of information about Southeast Alaska, including ancient geological phenomena such as the advancement and retreat of glaciers.

SHI LANGUAGE INITIATIVE'S HISTORY

In the late 1990s, our Board of Trustees, realizing that time was running out, steered the institute more toward revitalization of the languages. Most fluent speakers are elderly, so the institute’s early efforts began with an immersion program where students and fluent speakers spoke only in a Native language to create language habitats. Over the years, some advanced language students began to emerge and today, they are teaching some level of Native languages in public schools.

TLINGIT, HAIDA & TSIMSHIAN LANGUAGE RESOURCES

Click on the tab links below for a quick glimpse of our online language resources: