Quechua Language Programs in the United States: Cultural Hubs for Indigenous Cultures

With nearly eight million speakers around the globe, Quechua is the most widely spoken American Indigenous language, yet the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other entities recognize it as an endangered language due to its vulnerable situation and the rapid decline. Throughout the world, initiatives have sought to promote the Quechua language and Andean culture; and in the United States, in particular, the study of Quechua and of Andean culture has expanded in recent years. This essay discusses the importance of Indigenous language planning and revitalization from within the U.S. academy and how these initiatives can advance a more diverse and inclusive educational system.