Esther Martinez

Esther Martinez, Ohkay Owingeh, (1912–2006) a storyteller, linguist, and teacher who dedicated herself to preserving the Tewa language in the northern pueblos of New Mexico. Through her work, Esther became the “keeper” of the language central to Pueblo expression and identity. In 2017, the Esther Martinez Native American Preservation Act was passed in the New Mexico Senate, aiming to extend and update two grant programs. The Native American Languages Preservation and Maintenance (P&M) grant program and the Esther Martinez Initiative (EMI) grant program provide opportunities for tribal communities to assess, plan, develop, and implement projects that ensure the survival and continuing vitality of Native languages.

#WeShallContinue to educate our youth and pass on the importance of our languages”