Revitalizing Tribal Languages: Building Collaborative and Sustainable Educational Partnerships

Tribal languages are central to identity, belonging, and community-defined student success. This session explores Tribal language revitalization as essential educational equity work and an important part of Oregon’s multilingual landscape.

Participants will examine how language recovery efforts support literacy development, strengthen student engagement, and connect schools with families and Tribal communities. The session will highlight promising practices from Tribal contexts and explore the role educators and leaders play in creating conditions where Tribal languages — and the students who carry them — are supported.

Attendees will leave with a stronger understanding of Tribal language revitalization and practical considerations for aligning instruction, leadership, and systems in ways that honor Tribal sovereignty while advancing opportunity for multilingual learners across Oregon. *March 12, 2026, is preferred if possible if to be a regular session.

Speakers:

• Brandon Culbertson, Program Analyst, Oregon Department of Education
• April Campbell, Education Programs Manager, Oregon Department of Education