The Native American tribe, the Caddo, shared the loss of one of their beloved members who was the last fluent speaker of their ancient language and who had been working to preserve it.
They announced his death on Monday
Taking to Facebook on Monday, July 14, the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced the death of Edmond Johnson, who was 95.
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They described him as being the last fluent speaker of the Caddo language, and a “vital knowledge bearer.”
The announcement was heartbreaking
Alongside a photo of Johnson in the post, the tribe wrote, “Mr. Johnson was not only a vital knowledge bearer of our language and a treasured elder.”
“His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us.”
They closed their office for funeral proceedings
In their post, the Caddo Nation also explained that on Tuesday, July 15, they would be closing their Tribal Administration Office in observance of funeral arrangements for Johnson.
They urged people to honor him in their own way
The tribe wrote, “This closure is a moment for reflection, mourning and gratitude for the knowledge and spirit he carried on behalf of our ancestors and future generations.”
“We ask that each of you take this time to honor him in your own way — through prayer, remembrance, or by simply speaking his name,” they added.
The language is deeply tied to the tribe’s identity
The ancient Caddo language, which Johnson had been the last fluent speaker of, is deeply tied to the tribe’s identity.
Speaking with local ABC station KOCO News 5, chairman of the Caddo Nation, Bobby Gonzalez, said that the ancient language is “what makes us Caddo.”
Johnson had been working to preserve the language
Gonzalez explained that Johnson had been working with the tribe’s language preservation director, Alaina Tahlate, over the past few years to preserve the Caddo language.
The chairman described Johnson as someone who “meant a lot to our people.”
Tahlate also praised Johnson
The language preservation director, Tahlate, also told KOCO News 5, “He was really good at explaining things, [an] awesome storyteller.”
“The language connects every part of our culture together. Use your language however much, or however little, that you know,” Tahlate added.
Gonzalez also said, “We’re doing everything we can to preserve what we can with the people that we know that can still understand it,” explaining they would continue to work on preserving the language.