LYLA Conference Inspires Launch of CR’s Indigenous Language Institute

Published on Nov 3 2025

Sovereignty, for Indigenous peoples, is the inherent right to govern themselves, care for their communities, and sustain the languages, cultures, and knowledge systems that define their identities. Language is at the heart of that sovereignty: every word spoken, every story told, is an assertion of self-determination, cultural continuity, and community resilience.

Across California and North America, Indigenous communities are leading a movement to revitalize their languages, reclaiming words, songs, and traditions that connect generations. For many, language revival is not just an academic exercise, it is a living practice, embedded in homes, classrooms, and community gatherings.

At the forefront of this movement is the Live Your Language Alliance (LYLA), a grassroots gathering that brings together elders, parents, youth, and language practitioners to share strategies, celebrate successes, and strengthen networks for language education. Tolowa Dee-ni’ leader and Native American Student Support & Success Program (NASSSP) Manager at College of the Redwoods, Pyuwa Bommelyn, explains, “At LYLA, it’s about getting together and sharing the great work that people are doing in our different language communities,” Bommelyn said. “Working on language can feel isolating sometimes…every community has its own history and resources, and the amount of language loss is unique to each.”

College of the Redwoods embraces this work as a cornerstone of its mission. The college is devoted to forging strong partnerships with Tribes, uplifting Indigenous-led initiatives, and safeguarding the languages and cultures that carry generations of knowledge and tradition. The vision of LYLA resonates deeply with CR’s commitment, reflecting a shared dedication to nurturing language, honoring culture, and strengthening community.

This year’s LYLA gathered at College of the Redwoods from August 11–14, alongside CR’s Indigenous Language Institute (CR ILI). Speakers, learners, and cultural leaders from across the United States gathered for a week dedicated to language preservation, education, and community connection. Workshops and sessions explored everything from language documentation to the wellness benefits of speaking Indigenous languages. Participants engaged in hands-on learning around grammar, digital teaching tools, and online language resources, while “language time” encouraged attendees to speak in their languages, not just speak about them. Collaborative sessions emphasized intergenerational learning, community-driven strategies which included  teaching more indigenous language courses at CR, and the use of art, culture, and technology to sustain revitalization efforts.

From the AI Roundtable to the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research’s presentations on archival language materials, each discussion reaffirmed a shared commitment: to keep Indigenous languages alive, thriving, and spoken for generations to come.

By centering Indigenous leadership, creating spaces for collaboration, and fostering intergenerational learning, communities are not only reclaiming languages, but also reaffirming sovereignty and cultural identity.

Susan Gehr, who has been learning her heritage language, Karuk, since 1992, brings decades of experience as a community language teacher to LYLA. Over the years, she has taught at Head Start, kindergarten, and high school classes, sharing the language with new generations while also learning from other language revival efforts. In addition to her teaching, Gehr serves as a Librarian at CR and has led sessions on short grammar lessons and preserving language documentation, two areas she believes can give community members quick successes while also supporting long-term language revival. Her early work in archives, sparked during library school, initially focused on creating an intertribal language archive for Northwest California.

Looking ahead, Gehr sees the CR Indigenous Languages Institute (CR ILI) as a natural complement to LYLA. While LYLA is rooted in the community, CR ILI can provide broader support for language instructors and learners through resources, curriculum guidance, and academic backing for Indigenous language classes. “One of the things the Institute (CR ILI) could do is support the folks who are going to be teaching these courses. If you’ve got a class that doesn’t have a whole department or a community of practice around it, it’s easy to get left out of things like curriculum approvals… The Institute (CR ILI) could make sure teachers and learners are getting the support they need,” Gehr explained. “I’m really appreciative of CR’s support and encouragement to both bring the languages into the curriculum and into the CR community, and also to support our language communities in that work.”

The next summit of LYLA will be held again at CR in 2027.

Language revitalization is not only about restoring words, it is about restoring balance, connection, and resilience. Bommelyn puts it simply: “Every time a student speaks a word in our language, that’s a piece of healing. It’s not just about communication; it’s about remembering who we are.”

Through the words and work of Gehr, Bommelyn, and LYLA:

There is hope. Hope that children will grow up hearing the languages of their ancestors, hope that communities long fractured will find strength in shared voices, and hope that Indigenous languages will continue to rise, carrying forward stories, songs, and the enduring resilience of the people who speak them.