The Language Warrior's Manifesto

How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

By: Anton Treuer

Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab

Across North America, dedicated language warriors are powering an upswell, a resurgence, a revitalization of indigenous languages and cultures. Through deliberate suppression and cultural destruction, the 500 languages spoken on the continent before contact have dwindled to about 150. Their ongoing survival depends on immediate, energetic interventions.

Anton Treuer has been at the forefront of the battle to revitalize Ojibwe for many years. In this impassioned argument, he discusses the interrelationship between language and culture, the problems of language loss, strategies and tactics for resisting, and the inspiring stories of successful language warriors. He recounts his own sometimes hilarious struggle to learn Ojibwe as an adult, and he depicts the astonishing success of the language program at Lac Courte Oreilles, where a hundred children now speak Ojibwe as their first language.

This is a manifesto, a rumination, and a rallying cry for the preservation of priceless languages and cultures.

©2020 Anton Treuer (P)2020 Tantor

Excellent on every level

Treuer delivers an in-depth guide to linguistic and cultural revitalization, complete with details and practical examples.

Highly recommend

Beautifully explained how to make positive changes. How to be a language warrior and to live the language.

We need Indigenous languages!

So many heartening and inspiring words for the language revitalization movement. I’m hoping to learn Ojibwe myself and teach it to my young children. This has only strengthened my resolve. I’m very grateful for this book.