Indigenous languages of Montana
Montana, the fourth-largest state in the United States by area, is home to more than 100,000 Native Americans, seven Indian reservations, and eight federally recognized tribes.[1][2] Of all Native Americans in Montana, which make up 9.3% of the state's population, 62.85% live on one of the seven reservations. Native Americans are recognized by the state as a vital part of Montana's economy. Montana, as well as reservations and tribes, is home to a total of eleven native languages.
List of languages
[edit]| Language | Also known as | Number of native speakers | Areas language is spoken in besides Montana | Endangerment category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assiniboine | Assiniboin, Hohe, Nakota, Nakoda, Nakon, Nakona, Stoney | 150 | Saskatchewan | CR (Critically Endangered) |
| Blackfoot | Siksiká | 2,900 | Alberta | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Cheyenne | Tsėhesenėstsestȯtse | 380 | Oklahoma | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Crow | Apsáalooke | 4,160 | N/A | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Gros Ventre | Atsina, Aaniiih, Ananin, Ahahnelin, Ahe, A’ani, ʔɔʔɔɔɔniiih | 0 | N/A | CR (Critically Endangered) |
| Kutenai | Kootenai, Kootenay, Ktunaxa, Ksanka | 345 | British Columbia, Idaho | SE (Severely Endangered) |
| Lakota | Lakhota, Teton, Teton Sioux, Lakȟótiyapi | 2,100 | North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Salish–Spokane–Kalispel | Séliš language, Kalispel–Pend d'oreille, Kalispel–Spokane–Flathead, Montana Salish, Séliš, Npoqínišcn | 70 | Idaho, Washington | CR (Critically Endangered) |
| Ojibwe | Ojibwa, Ojibway, Otchipwe, Ojibwemowin, Anishinaabemowin | 50,000 | Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota | SE (Severely Endangered) |
| Plains Cree | Nēhiyawēwin | 3,200 | Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta | VU (Vulnerable) |
| Stoney | Nakota, Nakoda, Isga, Alberta Assiniboine (formerly) | 3,025 | Western Canada | VU (Vulnerable) |
Gros Ventre
[edit]The Gros Ventre language, despite having zero alive native speakers since 2007,[3] is not considered extinct. The language is trying to be revitalized and currently has 45 self-identified speakers.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Race and Ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 Census". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
- ^ "HOME". montanalittleshelltribe.org. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
- ^ Mithun 1999, p. 336
- ^ "Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over: 2009-2013". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-09-25.