Wild Rose is operated on the traditional lands of the Winefelly tribe of Kalapuya people near so-called Eugene, OR. This year we have decided to raise funds for NILI, a local nonprofit committed to the preservation of indigenous languages.
As with many other indigenous peoples of Oregon, Kalapuyans who survived the first wave of colonization were forcibly marched to either the Siletz or Grand Ronde reservations. Forced relocation was devastating to the numerous and diverse indigenous cultures of the Northwest. Representative of ongoing settler colonialism and indigenous genocide throughout North America, this method of colonization displaces people from their homelands and attempts to homogenize diverse cultures through erasure and integration. NILI's work is essential to revitalizing the many indigenous languages and cultures nearly lost to colonization.
"NILI supports and strengthens language preservation and revitalization efforts. With tribal, academic and community partners, NILI establishes collaborative, on-going projects which meet the specific needs and desires of each language community. Integral to NILI are teacher training, curriculum development, language documentation and appropriate uses in technology. NILI provides outreach services on issues of language endangerment and advocates for language revitalization issues." -NILI
We are grateful for the opportunity to support NILI's crucial work to strengthen and revitalize indigenous languages. NILI started at the University of Oregon as the result of requests for native language teachers. Today the project has grown to address the critical language preservation needs of indigenous peoples worldwide.
"NILI serves the UO, the Northwest and tribal communities nation wide. It works with tribal partners in many areas including curriculum design, distance learning and materials development while simultaneously meeting the articulated needs of tribal communities. NILI is among a handful of programs that plays a role in attracting, retaining and educating indigenous students at UO. NILI is an established program that directly supports indigenous students and their communities. It meets multiple UO goals. It supports: 1) graduate and undergraduate education; 2) diversity; and 3) external relationships with tribal communities." -NILI
Please join us in honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day and enjoy 20% off your purchase with code SUPPORTNILI through midnight, PST tonight!
(main image created by NACDI)
This blog was originally posted in 2022 and has been updated for 2023.
