Region: North central Manitoba westward across Saskatchewan and central Alberta to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Also spoken in USA.
October 12, 2005
Tribes by Language
At the time of Columbus’ arrival, America had a population of 75,000,000 people that spoke 2,000 languages in North, Central, and South America. In the world today, approximately 6,000 languages are spoken, and only about 600 languages are expected to survive this century. There are more than 800 indigenous languages in the Western Hemisphere. In the US, 165 native american languages are still spoken.
Seventy-four native american languages are almost extinct, with only a handful of elderly speakers. Fifty-eight indigenous languages have fewer than 1,000 fluent speakers, twenty-five have 1,000-10,000 speakers, and only 8 native american languages have more than 10,000 speakers.
Language scholars estimate that before the time of Columbus, over 300 languages were spoken in North America north of Mexico. Since then, that number has dropped to about 175 indigenous languages. One estimate predicts that number will dwindle to less than 20 by the year 2050. When our children were sent to government boarding schools, they were severely punished for speaking our native languages, and over time many of them were nearly forgotten. Many indigenous languages of the Americas are endangered, and many others are extinct, with no living native speakers. We believe that languages have a spirit all their own.It is our vision for the future to once again hear whole generations of native people fluently speaking thier native languages. For as long as one person speaks a language, that language’s people and traditions and history will survive and thrive.
The classification below is a composite of Goddard (1996), Campbell (1997), and Mithun (1999).
Native American Languages in the United States
Adai †
Algic
Carolina Algonquian (United States) (also known as Pamlico, Pamtico, Pampticough, Christianna Algonquian) †
Central Algonquian(23)
Atikamekw (Canada)
Moose Cree (Canada)
Northern East Cree (Canada)
Plains Cree (Canada)
Southern East Cree (Canada)
Swampy Cree (Canada)
Woods Cree (Canada)
Montagnais (Canada)
Naskapi (Canada)
Ojibwa (8)
Algonquin (Canada)
Chippewa (United States)
Central Ojibwa (Canada)
Eastern Ojibwa(Canada)
Northwestern Ojibwa (Canada)
Severn Ojibwa (Canada)
Western Ojibwa (Canada)
Ottawa (Canada)
Kickapoo (United States)
Menominee (United States)
Meskwaki (United States)
Miami (United States) (aka Illinois and Illinois-Miami) (Officially extinct but a revitalization program is in progress since an extensive dictionary exists)
Potawatomi (United States)
Shawnee (United States)
Delaware
Munsee
Unami (also known as Lenape) †
Northern Unami
Southern Unami
Unalachtigo
Eastern Abnaki,(United States)(also known as Abenaki or Abenaki-Penobscot)
Penobscot (also known as Old Town or Old Town Penobscot)
Caniba
Aroosagunticook
Pigwacket
Etchemin (uncertain) †
Loup A (probably Nipmuck) (uncertain) †
Loup B (Uncertain) †
Western Abnaki (Canada) (also known as Abnaki, St. Francis, Abenaki, or Abenaki-Penobscot)
Malecite-Passamaquoddy (Canada) (also known as Maliseet-Passamquoddy)
Maliseet (also known as Malecite)
Passamaquoddy
Massachusett (United States) †
North Shore (United States)
Natick (United States)
Wampanoag (United States)
Nauset (United States)
Cowesit (United States)
Micmac (Canada and United States) (also known as Mic Mac, Mi’kmaq, Mi’gmaq, or Mi’kmaw)
Mohegan-Montauk-Narragansett (United States) (aka Mohegan-Pequot-Montauk)
Mohegan †
Montauk
Narragansett †
Niantic
Pequot †
Shinnecock (uncertain) †
Munsee (Canada)
Nanticoke (United States)
Nanticoke †
Piscataway (also known as Conoy)
Choptank
Powhatan (United States) (also known as Virginia Algonquian) †
Quiripi-Naugatuck-Unquachog
Quiripi (also known as Quinnipiak or Connecticut) †
Naugatuck †
Unquachog †
Arapaho (3)
Arapaho (Heenetiit) (United States)
Gros Ventre (United States)
Nawathinehena (United States)
Blackfoot (Canada) and Blackfeet (United States)
Cheyenne (United States)
Mahican (also known as Mohican) (Extinct)
Moravian
Stockbridge
Piscataway (United States)
Unclassified (1)
Lumbee (United States)
Wiyot(1)
Wiyot (United States) †
Yurok(1)
Yurok (United States)
Alsean (2) †
Atakapa †
Beothuk †
Caddoan (Macro-Siouan?)(5)
Northern Caddoan (4)
Pawnee-Kitsai (3)
Kitsai (1) (a.k.a. Kichai)
Kitsai (USA)
Pawnee (2)
Arikara (USA) (a.k.a. Ree)
Pawnee (USA) (dialects: South Bend, Skiri (a.k.a. Skidi or Wolf Band))
Wichita (1)
Wichita (USA) (dialects: Wichita proper, Waco, Towakoni)
Southern Caddoan (1)
Caddo (USA) (dialects: Kadohadacho, Hasinai, Natchitoches, Yatasi)
Cayuse †
Chimakuan (2)
Chimakum (USA)
Quileute (USA)
Chimariko †
Chinookan (3)
Kathlamet (a.k.a. Katlamat, Cathlamet)
Lower Chinook (a.k.a. Coastal Chinook)
Clatsop (USA)
Shoalwater (a.k.a. Chinook proper) (USA)
Upper Chinook (a.k.a. Kiksht, Columbia Chinook)
Cascades (USA)
Clackamas (USA)
Hood River (USA)
Multnomah (USA)
Wasco-Wishram (2)
Wasco (USA)
Wishram (USA)
White Salmon (USA)
Chitimacha †
Chumashan (7)
Barbareño (USA)
Chumash (USA) †
Cruzeño (USA)
Ineseño (USA)
Obispeño (USA)
Purisimeño (USA)
Ventureño (USA)
Coahuilteco †
Comecrudan (United States & Mexico) (3) †
Comecrudo (a.k.a. Mulato or Carrizo)
Garza
Mamulique (a.k.a. Carrizo de Mamulique)
Coosan (2) † (This language has been moved to Penutian.)
Hanis
Miluk (also known as Lower Coquille)
Creole Language Family
Cotoname †
Eskimo–Aleut (7) (also called Eskaleut)
Aleut
Western-Central
Atkan
Attuan
Unangan
Bering
Eastern
Unalaskan
Pribilof
Eskimo(Yupik-Inuit languages)
Yupik (or Yup’ik)
Central Alaskan Yup’ik
Yugtun Alutiiq (Pacific Gulf Yup’ik)
Central Siberian Yupik (Yuit or Chaplinon and St. Lawrence Island)
Naukan
Qawiaraq(Seward Peninsula)
Chaplinski Sirenik † (viewed as an independent branch by some)
Inuit
Inupiaq or Inupiat (northern Alaska)
Inuvialuktun (western Canada)
Kangiryuarmiutun (Ulukhaktok sometimes listed as Inuinnaqtun)
Siglitun (Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Tuktoyaktuk)
Uummarmiutun (Aklavik, Inuvik from Inupiaq)
Inuktitut (eastern Canada)
Nunatsiavummiutut (Nunatsiavut)
Inuttitut (Nunavik)
Kalaallisut (Greenland)
Inuktun (Avanersuarmiutut)East Greenlandic (Tunumiit oraasiat)
Hokan (23)
Esselen-Yuman (10)
Esselen † (1)
Esselen (United States)
Yuman (9)
Cochimi (1)
Cochimi (Mexico)
Delta-Californian (2)
Cocopa (Mexico)
Kumiai (Mexico)
Kiliwa (1)
Kiliwa (Mexico)
Pai (1)
Paipai (Mexico)
River Yuman (3)
Maricopa (United States)
Mohave (United States)
Quechan (United States)
Upland Yuman (1)
Havasupai-Walapai-Yavapai (United States)
Northern (12)
Karok-Shasta (4)
Shasta-Palaihnihan (3)
Palaihnihan (2)
Shastan (1)
Karok
Pomo (7)
Russian River and Eastern (6)
Eastern (1)
Russian River (5)
Southeastern (1)
Southeastern Pomo (United States)
Chimariko (United States)
Washo (1)
Washo (United States)
Iroquoian (11)
Northern Iroquoian
Lakes Iroquoian
Five Nations and Susquehannock
Seneca-Onondaga
Seneca-Cayuga
Seneca
Cayuga
Onodaga
Mohawk-Oneida
Oneida
Mohawk
Susquehannock †
Huronian
Wyandot (Huron-Petun)†
Neutral †
Erie †
Tuscarora-Nottoway
Tuscarora (seriously endangered)
Nottoway †
Southern Iroquoian
Cherokee
Kalapuyan (3) †
Karankawa †
Karuk
Keresan (2)
Eastern Keres
Western Keres
Kutenai
Maiduan (4)
Muskogean (9)
Western Muskogean
Chickasaw
Choctaw
Central Muskogean
Alabama (alternate name: Alibamu
Apalachee †
Hitchiti-Mikisaki
Koasati (alternate name: Coushatta)
Eastern Muskogean
Creek (alternate names: Muskogee, Maskoke, Seminole)
Na-Dene (47)
Haida (2)
Northern Haida (Canada)
Sothern Haida (Canada)
Nuclear Na-Dene (45)
Athapaskan-Eyak (44)
Athapaskan (43)
Apachean (6)
Kiowa Apache (1)
Apache, Kiowa [apk] (United States)
Navajo-Apache (5)
Eastern Apache (3)
Apache, Jicarilla (United States)
Apache, Lipan (United States)
Apache, Mescalero-Chiricahua (United States)
Western Apache-Navajo (2)
Apache, Western (United States)
Navajo (United States)
Canadian (13)
Beaver-Sekani (2)
Beaver(Canada)
Sekani (Canada)
Carrier-Chilcotin (4)
Babine-Carrier (3)
Babine (Canada)
Carrier
Southern Carrier(Canada)
Chilcotin (1)
Han-Kutchin (2)
Gwich’in(Canada)
Han (USA)
Hare-Chipewyan (4)
Sarcee (1)
Ingalik-Koyukon (3)
Ingalik (1)
Koyukon-Holikachuk (2)
Pacific Coast (9)
California (4)
Oregon (5)
Tahltan-Kaska (3)
Kaska (Canada)
Tahltan(Canada)
Tagish(Canada)
Tanaina-Ahtna (2)
Ahtena (USA)
Tanaina(USA)
Tanana-Upper Kuskokwim (4)
Tanana (3)
Upper Kuskokwim (1)
Tutchone (2)
Southern Tutchone(Canada)
Northern Tutchone(Canada)
Tstsaut(Canada)
Eyak (1)
Eyak(USA)
Tlingit (1)
Tlingit (USA)
Natchez †
Palaihnihan (2)
Plateau Penutian (4) (also known as Shahapwailutan)
Pomoan (7)
Salinan †
Salishan (23)
Shastan (4) †
Siouan–Catawban (19)
Siuslaw †
Solano †
Takelma †
Tanoan (7)
Timucua †
Tonkawa †
Tsimshianic (2)
Tunica †
Utian (15) (also known as Miwok–Costanoan)
Uto-Aztecan (33)
Wakashan (7)
Wappo †
Washo
Wintuan (4)
Yana †
Yokutsan (3)
Yuchi
Yuki †
Yuman (11)
Zuni
† = Extinct languages
Unclassified Languages:
Campbell et al. (2007) list the following extinct and nearly unattested language varieties of North America as unclassifiable due to lack of data.
Eyeish
Coree
Sewee
Cusabo
Shoccoree-Eno (see Eno people)
Pascagoula
Quinipissa
Opelousa
Pedee
Bayogoula
Okelousa
Congaree
Winyaw (see Winyaw)
Santee (see Santee tribe. distinguish Santee Sioux)
Okchai-Chacato (see Okchai, Chatot people)
Tequesta
Guale
Sanan
Yamasee
Akokisa
Avoyel
Tocobaga (see Tocobaga)
Houma
Neusiok (see Neusiok people)
Ubate
Cape Fear
Pensacola (see Pensacola people)
Bidai
Wateree (see Wateree people)
Mobile
Michigamea
Pakana
Saxapahaw
Keyauwee
Guachichil *
Suma-Jumano * (see Suma & Jumanos)
Huite *
Concho *
Jova *
Acaxee * (see Acaxee)
Xixime (Jijime) *
Zacatec * (see Zacatecos; perhaps the same as Acaxee)
Tahue *
Guasave *
Toboso * (see Tobosos)
* Ethnographic evidences suggests these varieties might have been Uto-Aztecan
October 12, 2005
Region: Quebec, southeastward from James Bay, inland to the height of land (watershed) east of Lake Mistissini. Coastal communities of Waskaganish, some speakers in Eastmain. Inland, in Mistissini, Waswanipi, Nemaska, and Ouje-Bougoumo.
Atikamekw, A Cree language of Canada
22 ViewsOctober 12, 2005
Region: Three isolated communities on reservations of Manuane, Obedjiwan, Weymontachie, between La Tuque, Quebec, and Senneterre, Quebec, 200 to 400 km north of Montreal in south central Quebec, along the upper reaches of the St. Maurice River.
What does Wasichu mean?
22 ViewsApril 9, 2005
Have you ever wondered what the literal meaning of washi’chu is?
November 3, 2004
“Kemosabe,” also spelled “Kemo Sabe” or “Kemo Sabhay”…
What is the meaning of this expression that became such a memorable part of the Lone Ranger series?
October 27, 2004
General cultural beliefs of Algonquain speaking tribes… KEYWORDS: algonquin culture algonquin tribes algonquing geographical area algonkin algonquin indians The Algonquin Indians (also spelled Algonkian) are the most populous and widespread North American Native groups, with tribes originally numbering in the hundreds and speaking several related dialects. They inhabited most of the Canadian region south of […]
February 17, 2003
The following tables list 154 indigenous American languages which are still spoken in the United States, the number of speakers, and where the speakers are located. Table 1 arranges the languages alphabetically, while Table 2 arranges them according to number of speakers.
January 27, 2003
(BLACKFEET RESERVATION, BROWNING, MONTANA)- “Tsa nii ksistikowatts sa-ahsi?” teacher Shirley Crowshoe asks her class of elementary students sitting in a circle on a thick rug in a bright, modern classroom. “What kind of day is it outside?”
Jessie DesRosier, 13, is quick to raise his hand: “Sugapii ksisko, ahstosopo,” he says. “Nice day, cold wind.”
Cherokee sweat lodge words
22 ViewsNovember 9, 2002
There are a lot of people out there who attend sweat lodges and here are some terms that you would use at sweat lodge if you were speaking in Cherokee.
July 1, 2002
Suppose you had been one of the early explorers or immigrants to North America. You would have found many things in this new land which were previously unknown to you.
The handiest way of filling voids in your vocabulary would have been to ask local Native Americans what words they used.
The early colonists began borrowing words from friendly Native Americans almost from the moment of their first contact, and many of those names remain in our everyday English language today. Here are some examples.
April 22, 2002
DULCE – Wilhelmina Phone, 72, stores an ancient treasure in her memory: a language known only to a dwindling handful of Jicarilla Apaches. Once each month, she and two other fluent Jicarilla speakers meet in Dulce with University of New Mexico linguists to develop the first-ever Jicarilla dictionary.
March 13, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say What are you going to do today in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 13, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say What kind of food did you bring in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 11, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Walker bless it Creator bless me in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the […]
Cherokee language lesson: Brew it
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say brew it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
Cherokee language lesson: Pour It
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say pour it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
Cherokee language lesson: Blow it
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say blow it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
Cherokee language lesson: Buy it
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say buy it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
March 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Take the bowl and set it on the table in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern […]
March 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Give this yellow paper to your mom in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
Cherokee language lesson: Stir It
22 ViewsMarch 5, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say stir it in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Give this cold drink to your sister in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say give this basketball to your brother in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say stop what you’re doing and come here in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
March 1, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say pretty girl is dancing fast in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa […]
February 28, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Give this blue pen to your dad in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or […]
February 28, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say Is it possible you could bring some fried chicken tonight in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the […]
February 28, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say be happy in Cherokee language Valentine’s Day study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian Author: Bo Taylor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. […]
Cherokee language lesson: It Fits
22 ViewsFebruary 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say it fits in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
February 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say halloween in Cherokee I’m not scared mask are you scared it is scary witch spirit language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with […]
February 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say where did you get in Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. […]
February 16, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons how to say you get up Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound […]
February 15, 2002
Keywords: cherokee language lesson Cherokee language learn cherokee CHEROKEE LANGUAGE Cherokee Language Lessons listen get up Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian AUTHOR: Bo Tayolor Cherokee language study with emphasis on the Eastern dialect or the Giduwa dialect. Includes sound recordings. In this […]
February 10, 2002
“Algonquian” is a language group, not a tribe of Indians, although many Indian tribes speak one of the algonquian dialects.
December 27, 2001
AUTHOR:Don Cox
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
William H. Jacobsen Jr. is recognized as the foremost expert on the ancient and complex language of the Washoe tribe that has occupied Carson Valley and surrounding areas for thousands of years.
For centuries, Washoe had been a spoken language. Jacobsen learned to speak it fluently. It wasn’t written down, so Jacobsen wrote it down.