The Mother Tongue: Countering the Identity Thieves of Canada, Russia, Japan and U.S.

Photo: Indigenous Youth, Food Knowledge and Arctic Change

The Mother Tongue: Recovering Indigenous Languages from the Identity Thieves of Canada, Russia, Japan and United States

By Brenda Norrell, Censored News, July 16, 2024

Updated July 28, 2024: More from Russia and Japan

GENEVA -- Indigenous languages are on the verge of extinction in Russia. An ancient language in Japan is denied recognition by the government, while Native Americans struggle to recover from the torture in boarding schools that was meant to silence them. In Canada, efforts are underway to revitalize Anishinaabe after Native languages and culture were targeted with erasure in residential schools, presenters  told the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

With Indigenous languages near extinction in Russia, an Indigenous youth from a reindeer herding community near the Arctic tundra, said newspapers are still  important here and are helping preserve the language, Nenets, among the endangered languages, in the vanishing north.

"Despite the decline in circulation of paper newspapers in the era of digitalization, our national newspaper retains an important role in the life of the people, clearly addressing their current agenda and giving ethnic journalists and language activists the opportunity to write in their native language," Nechei Serotetto, Indigenous youth from the Russian Arctic, told the United Nations Expert Mechanism.

"Moreover, the newspaper allows informing about twenty thousand Nenets of the Autonomous Okrug who are nomadic thousands of kilometers away and do not always have access to satellite internet coverage."

In Japan, speaking an ancient language was punishable by death.

Today, Japan refuses to recognize the language, the Lew Chewan/Okinawan languages, and its people. After Japan's annexation of the Lew Chew kingdom in 1879, the languages faced prohibition, Risako Sakai, ACSILs, told the United Nations.

"During WWII, the Japanese military ordered that speaking in Lew Chewan languages could result in execution, leading to the marginalization and near extinction of our native languages. In fact, the Japanese military executed Okinawans for speaking Indigenous languages, calling us “spy."

Josh Gandier. Photo Southern Chief's Organization, Censored News

"My own hope for this decade is to see the restoration, formation and protection of intergenerational connections between youths, language keepers and communities," said Southern Chiefs Organization's youth delegate Josh Gandier, Peguis First Nation.

"Intergenerational connections were -- and remain -- the target of Canada's colonial policies. The destruction of these intergenerational connections is a significant factor contributing to the loss of Indigenous languages, and has a detrimental impact on the formation of identity in youths," Gandier told the United Nations.

The efforts to revitalize the Anishinaabe language include two immersion summer camps, with plans to expand the camps to the Dakota language in 2025. However, two immersion schools are not enough, since there are 34 communities, and funding is the main obstacle.

Pointing out the national action plans of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations to preserve, promote and revitalize languages, he said this is a beginning.

Gandier, law student and basketball star, urged the United Nations Mechanism to continue the International Decade of Indigenous Languages as an agenda item to keep people informed, and establish a United Nations Convention on Indigenous Languages as an outcome of the International Decade, which spans 2022 to 2032.

On the Verge of Extinction, Indigenous languages in Russia

International Committee of Indigenous Peoples in Russia addressing the U.N. Screenshot by Censored News.

Russia is putting a positive image forward at the United Nations, but the quickly vanishing Indigenous languages reveal the truth about the lack of language instruction to keep Indigenous languages alive, and the increasing racism in Russia, a delegate told the United Nations.

"On the verge of extinction are dozens of languages, the Russian Federation puts forward a happy picture of Indigenous languages," said Vladislav Tannagashev, of the International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia.

He pointed out the positive image put forth by Russia in sessions and reviews before the United Nations, pointing to Russia's statements to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, CERD; Committee on the Rights of the Child, CRC; and the current Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples session.

"Over time dozens of Indigenous languages have moved to the verge of extinction," he told the U.N.

There are only 19 speakers of Aleut; Itelmen has only 56 speakers; Oroch has 3 people; Chuvan only has 56 people and Enetsky has 36 speakers.

"In Russia there is not the opportunity to be schooled in your Indigenous language, not one Indigenous language is included in basic school programs. At the minimum, it is an optional language, sometimes these lessons are taken on the weekend," he told the U.N.

For example, language instruction was discontinued in academic institutions for one of the languages, he said, pointing out that the Shor language department at the Pedagogical Academy was closed in 2010.

Now, in many cases, interpreters cannot be provided in court for Indigenous Peoples, and this is a violation of rights, he said.

"I must add that the overall situation with languages in the country is very dire, with growing xenophobia and racism affecting the attempts of indigenous communities to preserve their languages."

Language is a key as an expression of the right to self-determination for Indigenous Peoples, he said.

Urging an end to the violations of the rights, he said real means must be taken to preserve Indigenous languages. In particular, opportunities must be given to Indigenous children to be educated, especially those living in their communities, with respect given to their traditions.

Japan refuses to recognize an ancient language and its people, a representative told the United Nations.

During World War II, the Japanese military ordered that speaking an ancient  Indigenous language was an act of espionage and punishable by death.

"This order led to marginalization and near extinction of our Native language," a representative told the United Nations. Japan's repression resulted in elders, who only spoke their language, being targeted by the government, and children were forbidden to speak their Native language in school.

Japan refuses to recognize Ryukyuan as Indigenous Peoples and the peoples languages have been downgraded and labeled dialects of Japanese, which is incorrect. Speaking the language is seen as "rebellious, unsafe or uneducated," she told the U.N. She said these Indigenous languages must be recognized as distinct languages.

Ryukyuans are the Indigenous descendants of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which was a sovereign entity prior to its annexation by Japan in 1879.

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Jen Proctor Andrews, Vice Chair of Coquille Tribe in Oregon in the United States, spoke with truth and power, describing the horrific abuse of Native American children in boarding schools in the United States. Andrews said there are fewer than 10 speakers remaining of her language Miluk.

"Through the atrocities in what we call the Indian boarding schools, the United States government spent billions of dollars over more than 100 years to wipe out Indigenous culture and language."

"Children were kidnapped, beaten and abused in horrible ways when they spoke their Native languages."

"Language embodies our thoughts, thoughts become our actions, and actions have impact," she said, adding that it is a foundation to Indigenous identity and the means to think, live and dream, a healthy escape from colonial ways.

Andrews said children in boarding schools were not "stakeholders," they were "rights holders." She urged the U.N. to discontinue the harmful and derogatory term "stakeholders" and refer to Indigenous Peoples as "rights holders."

Andrews, representing Indigenous Determinants of Health Alliance, urged protection of vulnerable languages and support for Native language speakers at the community level.

The United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples concluded its weeklong session in Geneva on Friday. The final report of recommendations now goes to the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Endangered Languages

The Endangered Languages Project documented 3,054 endangered languages and nearly half are in Asia, said Amanda Mojilip Walter, on behalf of Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus, in a written statement.

Mok language of the Shan people, who live in Myanmar and Thailand, is now only spoken by 10 people; Red Gelao spoken in Vietnam has 20 speakers; Dupaninan Agta has now only 1,000 native speakers; Rengmitcha language in Bangladesh, has only 6 speakers left and they are over 60 years old.

In Malaysia, 80 percent of the Indigenous Languages documented are said to be endangered.

"The assimilation of the Indigenous Peoples, followed mostly by most Asian States are rapidly contributing to the loss of our language, on which our cultural, spiritual identity is rooted in," Walter said.

Read more:

Indigenous Languages Vanishing in Russia

Oral intervention by Vladislav Tannagashev, International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia (ICIPR) in Russian language, English translation by Censored News.

Algysh Polzun!

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the floor.

The issue of language preservation is a very acute topic for the indigenous peoples of Russia.

Dozens of languages are on the verge of extinction. However, the state does nothing to preserve them.

While the Russian Federation presents a rosy picture of indigenous languages, for example, at such UN platforms as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which reviewed Russia last year, and the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which reviewed Russia this year, dozens of indigenous languages in Russia are on the verge of extinction.

According to the latest Russian census, the following languages are on the verge of extinction:

Aleutian - spoken by 19 people.
Itelmen - 56 people
Oroch - 3 people
Chuvan - 56 people
Enetsky - 36 people

These languages may soon disappear if the state does not take responsibility.

This year, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child at the review of the Russian Federation urged the State to preserve the cultural and linguistic identity and heritage of indigenous children and to ensure access to schools and basic education in their native languages, basic education in their native languages.

In Russia, not only is it difficult to receive basic education in native languages, but none of the indigenous languages are included in the basic school curriculum. The minimum allotted hours in schools are optional, and lessons are often held at late hours or on weekends. And even the optional classes are not located in all places where indigenous peoples live compactly.

I will give an example of my Shor people: The Shor language department at the Pedagogical Academy was closed back in 2010. There are many cases when courts cannot provide interpreters for representatives of indigenous peoples, and this is a complete violation of the right. And there are many such examples.

I must add that the overall situation with languages in the country is very dire, with growing xenophobia and racism affecting the attempts of indigenous communities to preserve their languages.

Mr. Chairman, the importance of languages is an important element and expression of the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination. We recommend that Emrip, the Permanent Forum, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and treaty bodies call on the Russian Federation to stop violating the rights of indigenous peoples, to take effective measures to preserve indigenous languages, especially to provide children with education in their native languages, including those living outside their communities, taking into account cultural traditions and languages. 

Algysh crawl!

Thank you! 

Buryat Vanishing in Siberia

Statement in Russian, translated by Censored News

Speech report

Sain baina! Hello, Madam Chairperson and thank you for the floor. I am grateful to the OHCHR Indigenous Internship Program for the opportunity to address the 17th session of the Expert Mechanism.

To put it briefly on the problems of the Buryat language in general: “The armed forces decide who should be a language and who should be a dialect” 

The state's general view of language over the century-long period was essentially based on the achievements of European linguistics of the late 19th century. But with a totalitarian bias. 

For the first time in the post-Soviet era, the issue of dialects of the Buryat language was publicly put on the agenda by journalist and philologist Dulma Batorova, my mother. She created a small newspaper on dialects. I helped her in her work. My mother was scolded and criticized, but she continued her heroic efforts. Actually, my mother sent me on this internship to learn what experience was gained in the UN structures, what modern management is needed, what path other nations have traveled. 

UN support of humanistic experiences is very timely and important. In this regard, we would like to propose some recommendations. I ask the Expert Mechanism to support the amendment of the 13th article of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in support of indigenous language dialects and to promote the involvement of more indigenous representatives in the activities of this event. Second, I believe that speakers of dialects of indigenous languages should have the right to broadcast television programs, radio programs, and newspapers in their dialects. Thirdly, I call on States to support indigenous peoples, language activists and activists working to preserve indigenous languages and their dialects.

It would be nice if the organizers of seminars and courses came to Buryatia to share their experience with us.

I cordially thank the organizers of this event and everyone who helped me here. Let there be light! Thank you! Bayarlaa! 

Preserving Nenets Language in Russia: Newspapers in the Digital Age

Original in Russian, translation by Censored News

• Serotetto Indigenous Youth Represenatative

First speech (5 minutes)

Brief greeting in the native (Nenets) language.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson! 

Good afternoon, dear brothers and sisters, respected members of the Expert Mechanism!

My name is Nechei Serotetto. I am a representative of an indigenous people from the Russian part of the Arctic - the Nenets. 

I thank the Expert Mechanism for the invitation. It is a great responsibility for me to speak today as a young language activist. I would like to pay special attention to issues of concern to young people in the framework of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. In particular, it is about the need for quality language digital content, media, and digitization-based new language educational technologies.

I live in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, my family are nomadic reindeer herders who roam many hundreds of kilometers all year long in the Arctic tundra. I am involved in the work of the Association of Indigenous Peoples “Yamal to Descendants”, the Association “Reindeer Herders of the World” and the Russian Center for Arctic Development. I also consider myself a language activist. Previously, I taught Nenets language at a state college, and now I work as a correspondent for a regional newspaper published in the language of my people. 

Despite the decline in circulation of paper newspapers in the era of digitalization, our national newspaper retains an important role in the life of the people, clearly addressing their current agenda and giving ethnic journalists and language activists the opportunity to write in their native language. Moreover, the newspaper allows informing about twenty thousand Nenets of the Autonomous Okrug who are nomadic thousands of kilometers away and do not always have access to satellite internet coverage. 

It is an issue of implementation of the standards on the rights of indigenous peoples, it is an issue of implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Therefore, it cannot be treated formally, on a residual principle. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples this week announced his new thematic study on indigenous peoples' access to media. I would like to welcome this report. 

My call to the Expert Mechanism, UNESCO and States is that more efforts should be made to support and develop indigenous peoples' own media in their own languages. Media support should not be seen in terms of charity or economic expediency. We all realize that indigenous language newspapers will not be profitable in the foreseeable future, especially for small and nomadic communities.

State support for indigenous media is a contribution to documentation, vocabulary and writing development, consolidation and capacity building of language communities, access to information, and preservation and transmission of traditional knowledge. It is a long-term investment that is sure to pay off, building the capacity of indigenous peoples to maintain their identity. It is a contribution to the goals of the International Decade! 

Another challenge for the Decade is the growth of mother-tongue-speaking communities of young people. Unfortunately, despite international efforts, real progress has not been made. Our young people are increasingly influenced by the dominant linguistic environment and digital technologies. Those who lead traditional lifestyles and ensure the natural reproduction of our languages and culture are also increasingly influenced.  Often young people are unable to resist, and should not refuse, the benefits of the Internet and digital technologies.

In this regard, urgent measures are needed to create a sustainable indigenous digital linguistic environment. 

indigenous peoples' own digital linguistic environment. States need to encourage their language projects to create modern entertaining and educational digital language content for children, e.g. cartoons, comics. This approach should become the norm.

At the same time, indigenous youth themselves do not sit idly by, but find new forms of preserving their native language, actively using modern technologies. For example, the creation of mobile applications for learning native languages. Young writers, musical performers and talented directors promote their native language through their creative work. These young people need both support from their communities, recognition of the importance of their work, and financial assistance from governments and businesses. 

Indigenous peoples' own entrepreneurial initiatives based on their native languages, culture and crafts also contribute to the preservation of the linguistic environment.

The earlier language planning begins, the more languages we will be able to preserve and pass on to future generations. Indigenous youth will be your staunch allies in this endeavor. 

I would like to applaud the efforts of those States that have been able to adopt national action plans in the first three years of the Decade. Using my country as an example, I can say that the adoption by the Russian Federation of a national plan of action, its localization at the regional level, facilitates the work of indigenous youth and allows them to contribute to monitoring the achievement of the Decade's goals. Education, digitalization and support for media in native languages are priorities of the national action plan. 

I would like to support the Expert Mechanism's proposal last year for the UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO to organize annual events to discuss the progress of the Decade. 

Thank you for your attention. 

Second intervention (3 minutes)

Dear members of the Expert Mechanism, brothers and sisters, representatives of States!

The participation of young people in achieving the goals of the Decade is one of the conditions for progress. We realize that the loss of language leads to the loss of our identity, traditional knowledge and future.

On the one hand, language preservation depends directly on the preservation of the linguistic environment, traditional ways of life and crafts, which are impossible without our de facto access to land and natural resources. This further emphasizes the interdependence of the various rights of indigenous peoples. 

peoples.

On the one hand, language preservation is directly dependent on the preservation of the linguistic environment, traditional ways of life and crafts, which are impossible without our actual access to land and natural resources. This further emphasizes the interdependence of the various rights of indigenous peoples. 

On the other hand, language preservation among urbanized indigenous groups is important. Young people living in cities are often the most active and are increasingly showing leadership in advocating for our interests in dialogues with the authorities. It is very important that they have the opportunity to learn languages outside their natural linguistic environment. 

I would therefore recommend that the Expert Mechanism and UNESCO explore how the linguistic rights of indigenous peoples can be promoted in the context of urbanization. 

I would like to conclude by proposing that the Expert Mechanism recommend that the UN Human Rights Council call on States to develop legislation in such a way that it is synchronized so that constitutional recognition is fully supported by relevant laws and policies. This view is reflected, among others, in the outcome document of the expert seminar in Salekhard, the capital of my region, which was held in support of the Special Rapporteur's study on the situation of nomadic indigenous peoples.

It is also very important that States finalize the localization of the Decade's Global Plan of Action as soon as possible and start monitoring its interim results. 

In conclusion, I would like to propose that the Expert Mechanism recommend that the UN Human Rights Council call on States to develop legislation in such a way that it is synchronized, so that constitutional recognition is fully supported by relevant laws and policies. This view is reflected, among others, in the outcome document of the expert seminar in Salekhard, the capital of my region, which was held in support of the Special Rapporteur's study on the situation of nomadic indigenous peoples.

It is also very important that States finalize the localization of the Decade's Global Plan of Action as soon as possible and start monitoring its interim results. We need more progress in achieving its goals. For this, we need more disaggregated data and reliable information on where things stand. 

I thank the experts for the invitation and this opportunity. Thanks also to the Voluntary Fund for supporting my participation in the session. 

Lew Chewan/Okinawan Language: Suppressed by Japan

Written statement by ACSILs, Risako Sakai

"The Lew Chewan/Okinawan languages were included in UNESCO's Red Book of Endangered Languages in 2009. Following Japan's annexation of the Lew Chew kingdom in 1879, the Lew Chewan languages faced suppression and prohibition.

"During WWII, the Japanese military ordered that speaking in Lew Chewan languages could result in execution, leading to the marginalization and near extinction of our native languages. In fact, the Japanese military executed Okinawans for speaking Indigenous languages, calling us “spy.”

"Even after WWII, discrimination continued, as Japanese assimilation was accelerated. For example, children were prohibited to speak Okinawan languages at school with punitive shame of “dialect placard (hōgen fuda).” Students were forced to hang it around the neck for a whole day when they spoke Okinawan languages at school. This colonial tactic was implemented on many Indigenous peoples in the world to erase Indigenous languages. Our native languages are critical to maintain and transmit Indigenous knowledge, values, and customs.

"Despite the UN urging, the Japanese government continues to deny the existence of Lew Chewan people and languages, refusing to acknowledge any oppression and assimilation of Lew Chewans."

Original Series by Censored News

Testimony at U.N. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, July 2024

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Please send corrections and additions to brendanorrell@yahoo.com

About the author

Brenda Norrell has been a news reporter in Indian country for 42 years, beginning at the Navajo Times during the 18 years that she lived on the Navajo Nation. She was a correspondent for Associated Press, USA Today and Lakota Times. After serving as a longtime staff reporter for Indian Country Today, she was censored and terminated in 2006 and created Censored News. She has a masters degree in international health. 

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