- Details
- By Neely Bardwell
On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States.
"A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language," the order said.
The executive order also rescinds a policy issued by former President Bill Clinton requiring agencies to provide assistance programs for people with limited English proficiency, but does not direct agencies to remove those programs, allowing agencies to voluntarily keep support systems like translated documents and services in place.
Before the issuance of the executive order, 30 states had already made English its official language. However, roughly one in ten people now speak a language other than English, more than triple the amount compared to 1980, according to 2022 data from the U.S. Census.
This is the first time in this nation’s history that one language has been designated as the official national language. The order comes at a time where tribal nations across the nation are working to revitalize and save their languages, the original languages of the land. In the “10-Year National Plan on Native Language Revitalization” released at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit, the last of the Biden Administration, it states that if action is not taken, fewer than 20 Native languages may still be in use by 2050. Currently an estimated 167 languages are currently spoken.
On Christmas Eve 2024, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed long-awaited legislation to have the Navajo language used, taught and supported by appropriations. With his signature, Diné bizaad, is now the official language of the Navajo Nation.
“One of my priorities coming in as President has always been to make sure that we make Navajo cool again,” he said. “It's exciting to see the work that's being done. And, so, I commend the Navajo Nation Council for doing that, and I really want to commend all of you for doing that.”
In December 2024, the Cherokee Nation Cherokee Nation signed an agreement establishing a formal partnership between the tribe, Cherokee Film and federal entities, including the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education, hoping to advance language revitalization efforts through film and media.
Cherokee Film is aiding the Nation in preserving the Cherokee language while also promoting it on popular educational and entertainment platforms.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (June 29, 2025): D.C. Briefs
Oak Ridge Fire on Navajo Nation Tops 200 Acres, Triggers Emergency Evacuations
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher
