About Us
The Indigenous Language Institute (ILI), founded in 1992 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ILI is Native American and Indigenous-led, with both staff and board members representing diverse Tribal Nations across North America. While originally rooted in Santa Fe, ILI now operates fully remotely—offering programs, training, and support to Native communities nationwide.
Our Guiding Philosophy
There is an urgent need to revitalize Native languages as the number of Elder speakers continues to decline. ILI’s guiding philosophy is to support communities in creating new speakers of endangered languages—ensuring those languages are USED in everyday life by all generations.
OUR GOVERNING BODY
ILI is guided by a Board of Directors, with a majority of its members being Native American. These individuals bring invaluable experience and insights from their work in language revitalization, ensuring that ILI's programs remain rooted in community needs and cultural priorities.
