The Nez Perce words and their translations fill a column on the white board. They are the words for native plants and animals that have sustained the tribe for generations: sunflower, black camas, wild potatoes, bitter root, deer meat, salmon.

These are the words taught in a language program in Nespelem, Wash., by the Joseph Band of the Nez Perce. The language itself constitutes an important cultural sustenance for this tribe. While their original homelands lie in the Wallowa Valley of Oregon, for more than 120 years they have lived in exile on the Colville Indian Reservation in north central Washington.

Last weekend Spokesman-Review reporter Kevin Graman wrote of the tribe’s efforts to keep its native language alive. Only a handful of elderly tribal members still speak this dialect, yet volunteers and teachers in the tribe’s language program work hard to preserve it and teach it to their children. This sustenance means the world to the descendants of this tribe, and it’s a cultural treasure that enhances our entire region.

Americans whose ancestors moved to this country from Europe often save thousands of dollars and study the languages of that continent to prepare for trips that will take them back to explore their cultural roots. Young Americans now travel to developing countries around the globe to experience different cultures and traditions.

It’s ironic that, at the same time, we so easily ignore the cultural richness right here in the Northwest. Fortunately, members of the Joseph Band of the Nez Perce, along with other tribes, invest their energy in keeping their traditions alive.

According to a report from an Arizona research project, linguists estimate that before Europeans arrived in the United States and Canada, there were 300 to 500 native languages in North America. Today, more than 200 of them remain, but only 34 are passed on as a first language to children.

By studying tribes in their region, the Arizona researchers have found that American Indian students who study native language as well as English perform better on English standardized tests. And the language itself acts as a “socio-cultural glue” to connect the generations of families, extended relatives and communities and improve their collective well-being.

In other parts of the world, such as with the Maori tribes of New Zealand and among native Hawaiians, similar efforts have revitalized indigenous languages.

Educators have discovered unique ways to teach these languages. In Hankinson, N.D., last year, teams from Sioux reservation schools competed in a Dakota Sioux Scrabble tournament. The first word on the Scrabble board was sa, which is pronounced “shah” for the color red.

Tribes should be recognized and supported in their efforts to revitalize their native languages.

These ancient words convey the values and the soul of their people. Without them, it’s difficult to imagine these endangered native cultures – and this priceless aspect of our region’s diversity – can survive.