What is NILI?

Purpose:
The Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI) provides training in applied language teaching and in linguistics to Native American language teachers of the Northwest though its summer institute and on-site trainings. NILI also offers consultation services to tribes in the areas of language program design, assessment, policy, linguistics, language documenting and archiving, and grant writing.

Mission:
To create the opportunity for Native people to restore their languages of heritage to a central place in their communities and to create the opportunity for all people to learn their language of heritage when they are children.

History:
NILI was created at the University of Oregon in 1997 as an answer to tribal requests for Native language teacher training. It is affiliated with the Department of Linguistics, the Center for Indigenous Studies, and the Center for Applied Second Language Studies. We also collaborate with the Superintendent of Education’s Office at the Oregon Department of Education to create and strengthen Native language and education policies.

Our purpose is to provide language support services to Tribes, through teaching and community out reach, toward the common goal of preserving language and creating communities of speakers.

Faculty & Staff:
Those involved with NILI come from a variety of backgrounds and specialize in a variety of areas including:

• Native American languages
• language restoration
• bilingual and immersion program methodologies
• language assessment and curriculum development
• applied linguistics
• language teaching
• language program design
• computer assisted language learning (CALL)
• language and educational policy
• resource development

Click here to view information on individual NILI associates.