The Makah Museum is closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to the opportunity to invite visitors inside again, and will do so when it is considered safe. The Makah Indian Reservation is also closed to non-residents. Thank you for your understanding.
Makah Museum
Makah Museum

Makah Language Program

Preserve • Teach • Speak

Makah Language Program

Qʷi·qʷi·diččaq

Qʷi·qʷi·diččaq is the ancestral language of the Makah people and the official language of the Makah Tribe. The Makah Language Program works to preserve, teach, document, and restore spoken fluency for present and future generations.

About the Program

The Makah Language Program conducts research, documentation analysis, curriculum development, and language instruction at Neah Bay Elementary and Neah Bay High School. An Elementary Makah Language Dictionary is forthcoming.

Program Goals

1
Preserve the Makah language.

2
Restore the Makah language to spoken fluency.

3
Educate our children and people as scholars who can compete anywhere in today’s world while maintaining their Tribal heritage.

Our Language

Qʷi·qʷi·diččaq, meaning “Makah language” or “speaking Makah,” belongs to the Wakashan language family, specifically Southern Wakashan. It is related to the languages spoken by the Ditidaht, Pacheedaht, and Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. We are culturally and linguistically related and continue to value and maintain these connections.

The Makah Tribal Council enacted Resolution No. 120-93, establishing Qʷi·qʷi·diččaq as the official language of the Makah Tribe.

The Makah Language Program was officially formed in 1978. The Qʷi·qʷi·diččaq writing system is adapted from the International Phonetic Alphabet and North American Phonetic Alphabet spelling systems. Its letters and symbols were agreed upon by a core group of Makah Elder speakers.

Qʷi·qʷi·diččaq is a polysynthetic language composed of many meaningful word parts. Sentences often begin with a predicate and may follow a verb-subject-object sequence, although exceptions occur.

Program Funding

Funding for the Makah Language Program is provided by the Administration for Native Americans, the Makah Cultural and Research Center, and the Makah Tribal Council.

References

Makah Language Program. Resolution No. 120-93: Makah Language, Official Language of the Makah Tribe. Neah Bay, WA: Makah Cultural and Research Center.

Makah Tribal Council. (1995). Makah Cultural and Research Center: Museum Exhibit Leaflet. Original work published in 1979.

Pascua. (2020). Makah Language Program materials.


Who We Are


This section is currently under construction.


Staff introductions and photographs of the Makah Language Program’s dedicated team of teachers are coming soon.