The Problem

At present, Indigenous people make up 6% of the global population, but they speak more than 4,000 of the world's languages. Some conservative estimates suggest that over half of the world's languages will become extinct by the end of this century, while other estimates predict that up to 95 per cent of the world's languages will become extinct or critically endangered in that same time frame. Indigenous languages make up the majority of the languages being threatened, with one Indigenous language estimated to die out every two weeks.

Why are Indigenous Languages Important?

Indigenous languages are not only methods of communication, but also extensive and complex systems of knowledge that have developed over millennia. They are central to the identity of Indigenous peoples, the preservation of their cultures, world views and visions and an expression of self-determination. When Indigenous languages are under threat, so too are Indigenous peoples themselves.