“This is a discussion of the life and death of three indigenous languages in eastern Canada. Demographics and contexts of language shift are reviewed, emphasizing particularly the sharp contrast between a revival focus for Mohawk and a maintenance focus for still thriving and broadly literate Inuktitut. Issues of identity and ownership are addressed through both in school and community out-of-school language use controversies and efforts, ranging from teacher education to organized community programs to family and everyday life practices.
