An ancient Native American language has now officially died out after its final fluent speaker died at the age of 95.
The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced on Monday that Edmond Johnson, the tribe’s last fluent speaker of the Caddo language, had died.
‘Mr. Johnson was not only a vital knowledge bearer of our language and a treasured elder,’ the tribe said.
‘His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us.’
In honor of Johnson, the tribe’s administration offices closed on Tuesday to mourn and reflect on their elder’s impact.
‘We ask that each of you take this time to honor him in your own way—through prayer, remembrance, or by simply speaking his name,’ the Caddo Nation added.
The Caddo tribe’s ancient homelands are what is known today as the states of Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
Ancient items recovered by archaeologists suggest that the tribe has existed as early as AD 900.
Edmond Johnson, 95, was the last fluent native speaker of the Caddo language, a Native American tribe now based in Oklahoma
Archaeologists estimated that the people of the Caddo Nation have existed since AD 900 and were native to Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma
The tribe’s homeland was disturbed by Spanish settlers. After multiple forced removals, the people of the Caddo Nation settled in what is now known as Caddo County, Oklahoma
The tribe’s homeland was disturbed when Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto led an expedition to the area.
After several forced removals, the Caddo Nation relocated to what is now known as Caddo County, Oklahoma.
‘We are an ancient tribe. We’ve been here since time immemorial. And we will continue to be here,’ the tribe’s website reads.
Bobby Gonzalez, the chairman of the Caddo Nation, told local ABC affiliate, KOCO News, that losing the tribe’s last fluent speaker was a devastating blow.
He said that their language is ‘what makes us Caddo,’ adding that ‘Edmond Johnson meant a lot to our people.’
Now, the tribe is tasked with preserving their language in the wake of Johnson’s death.
He had been working with Alaina Tahlate, the tribe’s language preservation director, to ensure the language endures.
But it is feared Johnson’s ancestors will never be able to speak Caddo with the same vocabulary as he did and that words as well as phrases are now lost forever.
She told KOCO that Johnson had a gift for storytelling and was great at explaining things.
‘The language connects every part of our culture together,’ Tahlate said.
Members of the Caddo Nation spoke to local ABC affiliate, KOCO-TV, about Johnson’s legacy
Tributes have already poured in for Johnson, with many sending condolences to his tribe and sending hope that his language endures
‘We’re doing everything we can to preserve what we can with the people that we know that can still understand it,’ Gonzalez added.
Tributes have already begun to pour in on social media for Johnson, with one comment on the Caddo Nation’s post reading, ‘As another indigenous person whose language is still here, but we are losing speakers fast, this breaks my heart for his nation and family on the loss of him and your language.
‘I hope there are a lot of recordings of him and lessons he taught so you can persevere what you can so its not all lost.’
‘As a linguist this crushes my heart, both for his family and for the loss to the tribe. My thoughts and prayers to you all,’ another added.
‘Condolences to all who mourn. I hope the language perseveres through all who speak it,’ a third commented.
Funeral services for Johnson were held on Tuesday, and Gonzalez said the tribe was working to set up a fundraiser for language preservation efforts.
