Independent Lens

We Still Live Here - As Nutayunean

The Wampanoag nation of southeastern Massachusetts ensured the survival of the Pilgrims, but lived to regret it. This film tells the story of the return of the Wampanoag language, the first time a language with no Native speakers has been revived in this country. Spurred on by an indomitable linguist named Jessie Little Doe, the Wampanoag are bringing their language and their culture back.

We Still Live Here: A Language Is Not Just Words

3m 18s

Through special learning camps, the Wampanoag are helping each other to recover their triabl language, stories, and connection to one another. They have realized that a language is not just words: it's a culture, tradition, and what creates what a community is.

Previews + Extras

  • We Still Live Here: Songs From the End of the Island: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    We Still Live Here: Songs From the End of the Island

    S13 E5 - 3m 11s

    Martha's Vineyard has long been known as Aquinnah -- or "the end of the island" -- in Wampanoag. Thanks to the efforts of Jessie Little Doe and her colleagues, tribal members are now able to sing songs in their original language.

  • We're the People Who Met the Pilgrims: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    We're the People Who Met the Pilgrims

    S13 E5 - 46s

    We Still Live Here - As Nutayunean tells the remarkable story of the recent cultural and linguistic revival of the Wampanoag tribe of Southeastern Massachusetts. Their ancestors ensured the survival of the Pilgrims -- and lived to regret it. Now they are bringing their language home again.

  • We Still Live Here: Making Peace With a Future Mentor: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    We Still Live Here: Making Peace With a Future Mentor

    S13 E5 - 4m 15s

    After making a bad first impression with MIT linguist Ken Hale during an early meeting about bringing the Wampanoag language back to life, Jessie Little Doe and Professor Hale became close collaborators and lifelong friends.

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