Nez Perce Language

About

LC State and the Nez Perce Tribe have partnered to create the Nez Perce language minor for students to develop considerable fluency in Nez Perce, as well as competency in the culture.

Students build fluency over three years of increasingly deep engagement, learning directly from tribal elders and the tribe's own oral traditions, in one of the only programs of its kind anywhere.

Students will complete a sequence of classes that include:

• Year 1: Foundational language skills alongside cultural activities such as cooking and root digging.
• Year 2: Oral literature through original Coyote stories told by tribal elders.
• Year 3: One-on-one mentorship with elders to build fluency and cultural knowledge.

After completing the minor, students may apply for public school certification and complete a teaching methods class, mentorship program, and oral and written exams. The minor requires 27 credits.

Related Careers

• Language teacher or instructor
• Cultural preservation specialist
• Tribal language program coordinator
• Translator and interpreter
• Museum or cultural center educator