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.

Frances Densmore recording Blackfoot leader Mountain Chief

List of languages

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Race and Ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 Census". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  2. ^ "HOME". montanalittleshelltribe.org. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  3. ^ Mithun 1999, p. 336
  4. ^ "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.