I found the work of a collection of papers, summaries and articles pertaining to stabilizing indigenous languages.  In 1994 and 1995, there were meetings held with participants of 21 states as well as Canada.

This meeting brought together many tribal educators and linguistics experts who discussed language renewal, and language teaching.  One of the main goals was to  lay out a blueprint of policy changes, along with community initiatives and educational reforms that would stabilize and revitalize Alaska Native languages as well as the rest of the indigenous languages spoken throughout the United States and Canada.

Some of the main points that were pin pointed in the meetings were the following:

• “the lack of opportunity to practice native languages at home”

• “the parents’ lack of proficiency in the native language”

• “the teachers’ criticism of those who speak the home language in

school”

• “the tendency to correct novice learners whenever they make a mistake”

• “the likelihood of put-downs by non-speakers of the home language”

• “the perception that English is a better vehicle for economic success”

• “the teaching of isolated vocabulary items instead of communicative

skills”

This list is a great indication of the problems and challenges that are facing indigenous communities and how they need to work to save their languages.  There are many great points here that will help me with my final paper which support stabilizing and revitalizing endangered languages.

References

Cantoni, G. (2007).  Stabilizing Indigenous languages.  A Center for Excellence in Education

          Monograph, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Revised Edition.