In eastern Washington, the Madera family is part of a growing movement among Native Americans to revive indigenous languages and cultural practices long suppressed by government policies and societal pressures. Living near Spokane, Dakota Madera and his wife, Tomi Simpson, are raising their six children with a commitment to their Colville-Okanagan Salish heritage, speaking the tribe’s language at home—an act once punishable by violence.

Their two eldest children, 14-year-old twins Trinity and Davianna, attend an immersion program at the Salish School of Spokane, where core subjects are taught exclusively in Colville-Okanagan Salish. This language, central to their identity, had nearly vanished after decades of systemic efforts to eradicate it. Dakota’s grandfather, 80-year-old David Madera, recalls growing up during a time of poverty and cultural shame on the Spokane tribal reservation, reflecting on the harsh realities faced by his community after displacement by the US government. “There were hardly any jobs. There was a lot of alcoholism … It was really tough for our people,” he said.

David Madera recounts how, as a child, he was ashamed of his Native identity, influenced by media portrayals and a lack of cultural affirmation. In previous generations, enforcement of assimilation policies, including violent punishment for speaking indigenous languages in boarding schools and religious institutions, led to a profound loss of linguistic and cultural knowledge. His mother and grandmother, for example, urged silence in the hope of better prospects in mainstream society.

Today, only two native first-language speakers of Colville-Okanagan Salish remain in the United States. Despite these dwindling numbers, concerted efforts to revive the language are underway. Programs like the Salish School combine traditional instruction with immersion techniques, aiming to restore fluency among younger generations and strengthen cultural continuity.

While families like the Maderas have achieved relative stability and comfort, many Native American communities across the country continue to grapple with the legacy of historical trauma, economic hardship, and debates over indigenous identity. The question of who qualifies as “Indian” remains contentious, intersecting with issues of tribal enrollment, cultural preservation, and political recognition.

Nevertheless, initiatives focused on language revitalization and cultural reclamation are gaining momentum, providing hope for the survival and growth of Native American traditions that were once nearly extinguished. Through these efforts, families are reclaiming not only their languages but also a sense of pride and belonging rooted in ancestral heritage.