We are delighted to share that Julia Schillo, a PhD student in our Department of Linguistics, is a co-author of a groundbreaking new study highlighting the positive impacts of Indigenous language revitalization on health and well-being.
Published in Language and Health, the study synthesizes findings from over 260 academic and community-based sources across Canada, the United States, Australia, and Aotearoa New Zealand. The review shows strong evidence that revitalizing and maintaining Indigenous languages is associated with improved mental health, enhanced social connection, better educational outcomes, and even reduced suicide rates.
Julia’s contribution underscores the critical role of linguists in interdisciplinary research that directly supports Indigenous communities. “When I speak with community partners who work on language revitalization, they often tell me that language reclamation is a very important component of a healthy life,” she noted. “I’m glad this article demonstrates that there is a lot of support in the academic literature for what many community members have told me anecdotally.”
Congratulations to Julia on this important work advancing the understanding of how language, culture, and health are deeply interconnected.
Read the full UBC story: How language revitalization boosts Indigenous health
