Nahahiganseck Language Committee

The Nahahiganseck Language Committee fosters the continuity, revival and integration of the Naragansett language into the community. With a tribal population of 2,400, the Naragansett are the only tribe in the state of Rhode Island and in 1978, the state settled out of court to return 1,800 acres of land to the tribe. For the burgeoning Committee, funding supported a language preservation project, Preserving Nahahiganseck Language Through Song, utilizing song and working with community members to create new music to accompany songs written by the Naragansett community. Community members worked with singers/musicians Jennifer Kreisberg (Grammy Award winner), Christopher Robertson, Kiowa Spears, and Thawn Harris to produce eight songs, distributed via the internet and 400 CDs to the Nahahiganseck community. The project has increased Nahahiganseck language use and helped to maintain cultural heritage and indigenous identity. It has helped to empower tribal members, increase self-esteem, and increase connection to tribal community. Over 70 tribal members participated in the workshops.