Indigenous Language Institute

ILI Spring Giving Campaign April 30 to May 21 Leading up to Native Nonprofit Day We are working with communities to support workshops, educator training, and create spaces where Indigenous languages are used in daily life. Your support helps bring people together to use their language in real ways. It supports educators, connects elders and younger learners, and helps language carry forward across generations.

About the Indigenous Language Institute (check out our Organization Overview)

The Indigenous Language Institute (ILI), founded in 1992 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a nationally supported and recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are Native American and Indigenous-led, with staff and board members representing Tribal Nations from across North America. ILI operates fully remotely—offering programs, training, and hands-on support to Native communities across the country.

Our Mission

The mission of the Indigenous Language Institute (ILI) is to provide vital language-related programs and services to Native nations, tribes, and communities so that their individual and collective identities, traditional wisdom, values, and inherent right to self-determination—especially in language immersion and revitalization—are passed on to future generations through their original languages.

Our Guiding Philosophy

There is an urgent need to revitalize Native languages as the number of Elder speakers continues to decline. ILI’s guiding philosophy is to support communities in creating new speakers of endangered languages—ensuring those languages are USED in everyday life by all generations.

Why This Work Matters This work is grounded in community. We have witnessed what happens when language is used in daily life. It builds confidence, strengthens connection, and brings people together across generations. We have seen elders and young leaders come together, have fun, and build relationships that carry language forward.

Supporting This Work

Your contribution supports:

• Community based immersion workshops
• Training for educators and language workers
• Youth language leadership opportunities
• Development of language learning resources
• Practical strategies that support daily language use

Communities are continuing to build momentum around using language in daily life, and your support helps keep that going with us!