Indigenous languages have been spoken in these lands we now call ‘the Americas’ since time immemorial. Despite centuries of colonialism, Indigenous peoples have resisted, and their languages have persisted. This exhibit highlights materials from UCR Special Collections & University Archives that contain Indigenous languages, from items with just a few words of the language to items completely written or printed in that language. Items range in age from the 1900s to the 2020s, representing a wide spectrum of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Drawing from fields as diverse as Indigenous futurisms, critical archival theory, and linguistic imperialism, we explore how these materials continue to speak to us across time, and examine some of the ways their use of language intersects with history, power, and identity. You can view the exhibit guide by clicking here. 

While every effort has been made for this exhibit to identify all Indigenous languages represented across UCR Special Collections & University Archives holdings, it is possible some languages and materials were missed. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Enriquez at sandy.enriquez@ucr.edu.