Montana, the fourth-largest state in the United States by area, is home to more than 100,000 Native Americans, seven Indian reservations, and eight federally recognized tribes. Of all Native Americans in Montana, which make up 9.3% of the state's population, 62.85% live on one of the seven reservations. Native Americans are recognized by the state as a vital part of Montana's economy. Montana, as well as reservations and tribes, is home to a total of eleven native languages.
List of languages
| Language | Also known as | Number of native speakers | Areas language is spoken in besides Montana | Endangerment category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assiniboine | Assiniboin, Hohe, Nakota, Nakoda, Nakon, Nakona, Stoney | 150 | Saskatchewan | CR (Critically Endangered) |
| Blackfoot | Siksiká | 2,900 | Alberta | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Cheyenne | Tsėhesenėstsestȯtse | 380 | Oklahoma | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Crow | Apsáalooke | 4,160 | N/A | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Gros Ventre | Atsina, Aaniiih, Ananin, Ahahnelin, Ahe, A’ani, ʔɔʔɔɔɔniiih | 0 | N/A | CR (Critically Endangered) |
| Kutenai | Kootenai, Kootenay, Ktunaxa, Ksanka | 345 | British Columbia, Idaho | SE (Severely Endangered) |
| Lakota | Lakhota, Teton, Teton Sioux, Lakȟótiyapi | 2,100 | North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota | DE (Definitely Endangered) |
| Salish–Spokane–Kalispel | Séliš language, Kalispel–Pend d'oreille, Kalispel–Spokane–Flathead, Montana Salish, Séliš, Npoqínišcn | 70 | Idaho, Washington | CR (Critically Endangered) |
| Ojibwe | Ojibwa, Ojibway, Otchipwe, Ojibwemowin, Anishinaabemowin | 50,000 | Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota | SE (Severely Endangered) |
| Plains Cree | Nēhiyawēwin | 3,200 | Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta | VU (Vulnerable) |
| Stoney | Nakota, Nakoda, Isga, Alberta Assiniboine (formerly) | 3,025 | Western Canada | VU (Vulnerable) |
Gros Ventre
Main article: Gros Ventre languageThe Gros Ventre language, despite having zero alive native speakers since 2007, is not considered extinct. The language is trying to be revitalized and currently has 45 self-identified speakers.
References
- "Race and Ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 Census". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
- "HOME". montanalittleshelltribe.org. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
- Mithun, Marianne (1999). The Languages of Native North America. Cambridge Language Surveys. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 336. ISBN 9780521298759.
- "Detailed Languages Spoken at Home and Ability to Speak English for the Population 5 Years and Over: 2009-2013". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-09-25.