Native American speaker, Bluejay, of the Lenape tribe visits students on Friday, March 31, 2023, in a presentation to Willow Lane Elementary students in Macungie.

The Native American speaker said as a child he wasn’t old enough to know or understand what his grandfather – Charles Chibitty – did as a Code Talker in World War II.

The tongue traditionally spoken by Potawatomi Native Americans had only eight people who’d learned it as their first language, and the average age of the remaining speakers was over 80 years old.

Native American languages are dwindling, with most having only a handful of speakers left.

An unusual course on Native American history, featuring Native American speakers, will be offered by Canisius College beginning Tuesday. The course will be free to the public and may also be taken ...