Language revitalization is a critical foundation of cultural identity, social memory and the empowerment of Indigenous communities. This moment serves to honor the legacy of those who dedicated their lives to restore Indigenous cultures and whose absence is deeply felt in our community.

Elder Ralph Burns ’25 (Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters), a revered Pyramid Lake Paiute educator and culture keeper, passed away in April. He devoted his life to preserving and teaching the Northern Paiute language, leaving a profound and lasting impact on our University community. During the Spring 2025 Commencement Awardee Reception, Paiute language and culture educator Stacey Burns (no relation) delivered a heartfelt message in his honor, celebrating his posthumous honorary degree.

In January, the community lost Myrton Running Wolf ’95 (mathematics), assistant professor of race and media at the Reynolds School of Journalism. A member of the Blackfeet Nation, he was a nationally recognized scholar, actor and advocate for Indigenous representation in media. He held a doctorate in theater and performance studies from Stanford University, a Master of Fine Arts in film production from the University of Southern California, and a master’s degree in performance studies from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. A memorial service was held on campus in May.

As we mourn these losses, we also recognize and celebrate those carrying this work forward. Among them is Assistant Professor Sandhya K. Narayanan, recent recipient of the prestigious NSF CAREER Award for her research in Indigenous language revitalization. Her work highlights the ongoing need to protect and reclaim endangered languages, uplifting the voices of communities fighting to preserve their heritage.

We invite you to reflect on the power of language as a carrier of identity, memory and cultural survival.

Please consider supporting the Emergency Student Support for the Office of Indigenous Relations Fund.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the University of Nevada, Reno is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), and Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands continue to be a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples, and we recognize their deep connections to these places. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on their territory.