Saguaro Group

What is the Saguaro Group?

The Saguaro Group, convened to facilitate the ILAS project, is a working group of linguists and language workers housed at the Universtiy of Arizona. We live and work on the land of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe. The Saguaro Group consists of Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons, connected by a commitment to facilitating language reclamation, revitalization, and maintenance.

We are guided by the following principles:

• We understand language as sacred to Indigenous persons and their communities and lands; it is a means of social, ecological, emotional and spiritual connections which are central to identity.

• We understand that languages — including names, stories, and songs — belong to their speakers, their communities of origin, and the land.

• We acknowledge the validity and need to incorporate Indigenous epistemologies and frameworks in our work and in the field of linguistics.

• We owe service and support to communities whose languages we study and upon whose land we live and work.

• We do not endeavor to represent any particular worldview, nor present a homogenized perspective.

• The Saguaro Group incorporates each member's own voice, words, experiences and perspectives.

• We recognize that our understanding of the above principles continues to evolve.

What does the Saguaro Group do?

The Saguaro Group functions as the editor for ILAS series of textbooks, determining the general content and structure of the books, and ensuring coherence and relevance of the final products. Specific sections of the books are written by contributing authors, often Saguaro Group members. The Saguaro Group aims to integrate perspectives from a variety of stakeholders — decision-making within the Group is by consensus.

To facilitate the ILAS project, the Saguaro Group meets regularly to discuss, share ideas and resources, and co-work on the various aspects of the project.

Contact

If you are interested in getting involved with ILAS, or joining the Saguaro Group, please contact Sasha Santiago at asa@email.arizona.edu. Use this form to get in touch with questions, concerns or feedback on the ILAS textbook series.