The ponca tribe of nebraska's culture department and language program aims to revitalize and preserve the ponca language and culture, building on the tribe's efforts to address the 2018 state of…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska $142,494 on October 1, 2026, under the Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services program (CFDA 45.311) to design and produce beginner-level Ponca language learning materials and develop language instruction content for tribal members, including those residing outside the tribe's primary service delivery area.

The tribe will develop printed activity books and worksheets alongside a digital version of the materials. The project will also produce a series of short-form language learning videos and tutorials focused on traditional skills such as beading and regalia-making, created in collaboration with community members. These activities build on the tribe's 2018 declaration of a state of emergency for the Ponca language and support cultural revitalization efforts targeting the tribe's 5,975 enrolled members, 3,782 of whom live outside the service delivery area.

Performance occurs in Niobrara, Nebraska, with a period of performance from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2028. The award is structured as an Enhancement Grant, which under the program guidelines supports improved educational programs and enhanced preservation and revitalization of Native American cultures and languages.

The ponca tribe of nebraska's culture department and language program aims to revitalize and preserve the ponca language and culture, building on the tribe's efforts to address the 2018 state of emergency for the ponca language. There are currently 5,975 enrolled ponca members, 3,782 of which reside outside of the service delivery area, making IT difficult for all tribal citizens to access programming. The project will expand access by supporting the design and production of beginner-level ponca language learning materials including printed activity books, along with a digital version, and worksheets. A series of short-form language learning videos and tutorials related to traditional skills such as beading and regalia-making will be developed in collaboration with community members. Through these activities, the project will strengthen tribal members' cultural connections.