In the three Seneca territories in Western New York there are just 30 elders who speak the language fluently—10 years ago there were 200 fluent speakers, reports WGRZ.

The Seneca Nation of Indians is trying to change that and save their language starting with the youth. Kids attending Faith Keepers School in Steamburg, New York, learn about Seneca tradition, culture and are taught the language through activities. During varsity and junior varsity lacrosse games in Gowanda, you’ll hear the games being announced in Seneca by eighth grade students. According to WGRZ, they are the first school in Western New York to announce games like that.

There’s a bigger push to preserve the language because our elders are dying,” teacher Rachael Wolfe told WGRZ. “It’s urgent… We’re at an emergency status as far as our language is concerned.” More.

See: Indian Country Today

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