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Senate committee hears testimony on language-preservation bill; advocates call urgency
Summary
SB 182 would expand and modernize the Montana Indian Language Program (MILP) and preserve tribal-created curriculum and archival materials; tribal leaders, ACLU and OPI supporters described the program as vital to language revitalization and cited ties to improved student outcomes.
Senator Jonathan Windiboy opened SB 182 as a companion to SB 181, describing the bill’s purpose to preserve tribal-created curriculum and strengthen the Montana Indian Language Program (MILP). Windiboy recounted earlier efforts to earmark funds and said the Montana Historical Society’s climate‑controlled storage is a logical location to preserve materials and cultural intellectual property while giving school districts appropriate access for curriculum development.
Multiple tribal leaders and education advocates testified in support. Lance Forster submitted a caucus letter in support; Patrick Yawaki and Callie Parr said the bill would expand opportunities to teach tribal languages in public and nonpublic schools, including early‑learning settings. Callie Parr noted Montana is home to nine tribal languages, three of which are critically endangered.
Supporters described demonstrated benefits of immersion and language revitalization: Sharon Kickingwoman (ACLU) cited OPI data showing eight tribal governments participated in MILP in 2022 and described examples of curriculum development and language apps funded by the program. Witnesses also linked language work to identity, suicide prevention and graduation outcomes.
Molly Krukenberg, director of the Montana Historical Society, explained how archival access and preservation works and said the Society already provides reference-room access and remote scans where rights permit; she said the bill would not materially change current preservation practices but would facilitate long-term access.
Sponsor Windiboy closed by stressing urgency, citing a report that current minimal classroom language exposure would take decades for a single student to reach fluency and urging legislative action to protect languages at risk of loss. The committee did not record a formal vote in the hearing transcript.
