Sister Sky Inc. and Native Language Revitalization
by Sister Sky, Inc.
Administration for Native Americans Funds a Third Year of National Native Language Revitalization Services, Powered by Sister Sky Inc.
Spokane, WA: The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) understands that Native languages—many of which are endangered, spoken by fewer and fewer tribal members each passing year—are a vital thread in the fabric of cultural healing, community self-sufficiency, and holistic wellness. In October 2020, ANA awarded Sister Sky Inc. the third-option-year to continue providing training and technical assistance services for the Native Language Community Coordination (NLCC) Center.
The NLCC center works with five tribal communities who received language preservation grants from ANA, providing assistance and services for various design and implementation strategies for their native language programs. Since 2018 the NLCC Center, staffed by Sister Sky Inc. employees, has helped ANA language grantees use evidence-based education methods and integrate language instruction into community education systems, from pre-school through post-secondary education.
Language technical assistance at the NLCC Center is led by Sister Sky Inc. staff Cree Whelshula, Training and Technical Assistance Director, a subject matter expert in Native language revitalization, second language acquisition, and language teaching best practices for learners of all ages. Ms. Whelshula also assists language programs with vital administration questions of funding, program design, and sustainability, so that tribal language programs can thrive and continue to have a positive healing impact in their communities now, and well into the future.
Sister Sky Inc. Founding Partner Marina TurningRobe explains, “Time is of the essence for American Indian and Alaskan Native communities to learn, speak and live their native languages. Studies have shown our languages heal us; our languages bring holistic wellness to oneself, family and community. Sister Sky Inc. is grateful and humbled to continue this critical work, our team will serve the NLCC grantees each day with passion and dedication.”
###
Sister Sky Inc. is a 100% Native American woman-owned small business, an SBA-certified 8(a) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). SSI specializes in federal contracting initiatives that build education, health, and wellness in Indian Country. Sister Sky Inc.’s founding partners, real-life sisters Monica Simeon and Marina TurningRobe, are citizens of the Spokane Tribe, WA and Pauquachin First Nation of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Learn more at sisterskyinc.com.
CONTACT:
Marina TurningRobe, marina@sisterskyinc.com
Sister Sky Inc. Founding Partner