Endangered Languages in Beringia

Beringia has a rich cultural history. Humans have lived in the region for millennia and it is hypothesized that they may be the ancestors of all Native Americans. (Read more about the research being performed to investigate this hypothesis.) However, Beringia also has a history of colonization and exploitation. The cultural practices indigenous to this region were suppressed and over time, some elements of these cultures have been lost. Many efforts have been made to revitalize and preserve Native cultures, one of which is to raise awareness of these losses.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has gathered data on languages all around the world and determined their vulnerability to extinction. Their categories range from vulnerabel to extinct. Beringia has approximately fourteen critically endangered languages, according to this system.

Critically Endangered Languages

• Aleut (eastern) - 150 speakers as of 2000
• Aleut (western) - 5 speakers as of 1997
• Copper Island Aleut - 10 speakers as of 2002
• East Cape Yupik - 70 speakers as of 1998
• Forest (Kolyma) Yukaghir - 50 speakers as of 1987
• Holikachuk - 5 speakers as of 2000
• Ingalik - 14 speakers as of 2000
• Itelmen - 100 speakers as of 1991
• Koyukon - 150 speakers as of 2000
• Seward Peninsula Inupiaq - 2144 speakers as of 2000
• Tanacross - 50 speakers as of 2000
• Tlingit - 300 speakers as of 2000
• Tundra Yukaghir - 150 speakers as of 1987
• Upper Kuskokwim - 25 speakers as of 2000

You can find more information on UNESCO's website: UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in danger