This incisive ethnographic analysis of indigenous language endangerment, maintenance, and revitalization focuses on the linguistic heritage of the Native American reservation at Fort Apache and explores the broader social, political and religious influences on evolving languages in native communities. Offers a focused ethnographic analysis of an indigenous community that also explores global issues of language endangerment and maintenance and their socio-historical contexts Addresses the complexities and conflicts in language maintenance and revitalization programs, and how they are influenced by localized dialects, education systems, religious beliefs, and politics Examines differing evaluations of language loss, and maintenance, among members of affected communities, and the challenges of adapting to wider socio-cultural influences Provides an ethnographic analysis of speech in indigenous communities that moves beyond narrowly conceived language documentation to consider evolving linguistic and social identities