The Native Language Project will consist of a board and a production team, created to preserve and share Native American language, culture, and wisdom. Until it is deemed necessary to acquire its own legal entity, the organization will exist as part of the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa.

The sole purpose of the organization is the development of a website, (www.nativelanguageproject.com) which (1) stores online audio and video archives for public viewing, (2) serves to communicate the importance of native language preservation, and (3) provides tools and resources for those who would like to submit videos for viewing.

Online archives would be categorized by language / tribe / location. The organization would create its own archives as well as publish those submitted by others. The Native Language Project will maintain responsibility and ownership of the equipment, and other physical & digital production assets used to create the video interviews.

We will be required to provide the tribe, whose language was subject of the project, with copies of field materials, audio and video recordings collected or made, accompanying transcriptions, and any publications or films resulting from materials obtained.

We’re planning an initial pilot interview series, in which native language speakers would be invited to participate. The core production team would spend one weekend recording stories, interviews, personal history, etc. These recordings would be edited, formatted, and then posted online for public viewing.