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Social Justice for Young Children Conversation Series Blog
Language is more than just words—it's a lifeline to culture, identity, and community.
How do we pass on our core values to our children? For Indigenous communities, the answer is rooted in language—a gift from their ancestors that carries the essence of their identity, culture, and way of life. Yet, this gift has been under constant threat.
We invite you to read Gifting Our Core Values to Our Children, a new Foundation for Child Development blog post by Hon. Regis Pecos, Co-Director of the Leadership Institute at Santa Fe Indian School and an esteemed leader of the Pueblo de Cochiti. In this new contribution to our Social Justice for Young Children Conversation Series, Regis discusses the crucial role language plays in the survival of Indigenous cultures, the historical challenges faced by these communities, and the ongoing fight for education sovereignty for Native children.
Regis challenges us to consider the consequences of these policies, especially in early childhood education, where programs like Head Start—despite good intentions—have inadvertently contributed to the loss of Native languages. He highlights the resilience and determination of Indigenous leaders who have fought back. Thanks to their advocacy, significant progress has been made in New Mexico, where Tribes have successfully shaped state policies to support culturally and linguistically relevant education for Native children. Yet, the fight is far from over.
Join the conversation as we contemplate the ways in which everyone, including early childhood research, child development, and child advocacy fields, can contribute to ensuring that all children grow up with a strong sense of self and connection to their heritage.
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