The University of Arizona hosted a celebration for the 25th anniversary of UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day, showing Indigenous language preservation efforts. The event had language games, resources and discussions with educators and students working to revitalize Native languages like Tohono O’odham, Diné, Hopi and Yaqui.

A library book she found when she was 10 inspired Melanie McKay-Cody to pursue a career studying Native American sign languages. Now a researcher in the College of Education, she's one of the foremost experts at the intersection of Native and Deaf identity. She shares her story in this article and video.