For Every Place a Language

Adell McMillan Gallery

EMU Second Floor
June 8, 2010 - August 14, 2010

This exhibit is brought in-conjunction with the 17th Annual Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium and curated by the Northwest Indian Language Institute

Place and language intrinsically identify us as individuals yet they link us to our community. They are part of our uniqueness yet they are what make us ordinary. They are so deeply rooted in the Soul that we encounter a sense of loss when we are removed from both. And we experience a profound sense of displacement and sorrow when they are gone.

This exhibit is about places and languages in the world that are endangered. Places where land, language and culture have been altered permanently by the effects of colonization and globalization.

The individuals who submitted these photographs are committed to reversing this shift or at the very least are dedicated to ensuring that the essential elements of language, culture and place live on in their communities for their children and for untold generations. Their voices compose this year's Symposium. They share with us the land and languages they cherish.

We welcome you to enjoy these images! And may they move you in some way or cause you to pause and reflect on the reality that the people who walk these lands and travel these waters are working with great effort to retain what is inherently theirs - their place, language and culture.

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"Attending the University of Oregon means that I will be the first person in my family to graduate from College."

Daniela '06

Lundquist College of Business