95-Year-Old Edmond Johnson Passed Away And May Have Been The Last Fluent Speaker Of A Language

The loss of a Native American elder from the Caddo Nation tribe in Oklahoma is shining a light on lost languages.

Tribe members say 95-year-old Edmond Johnson was one of the last fluent speakers of their language, which is also known as Hasinai.

It’s one of many global languages that are under the threat of extinction.

Edmond Johnson was a revered tribe member and elder of the Caddo Tribe

Ancient Native American village scene with people in traditional clothing, highlighting language risks and cultural preservation.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

Native American women dressed in traditional clothing participating in a cultural event, highlighting language risks of extinction.

Image credits: Uyvsdi / Wikipedia

Members of the Caddo Nation announced Johnson’s passing on July 14th, calling him a “vital knowledge bearer of our language” and “treasured elder.”

On their website, the Caddo Nation said Johnson’s passing “marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us.”

The group observed a day of remembrance for Johnson on July 15th, their website said.

Portrait of an elderly Native American man symbolizing the risk of ancient language extinction after his passing.

Image credits: Caddo Nation of Oklahoma / Facebook

Caddo Nation announces closure to honor last fluent Caddo language speaker, highlighting language risks and cultural loss.

Image credits: Caddo Nation of Oklahoma / Facebook

According to a local TV station, Johnson had been working with the tribe’s preservation director to keep the language alive.

“He was really good at explaining things, [an] awesome storyteller,” the tribe’s language preservation director, Alaina Tahlate told KOCO News, continuing that their “language connects every part of our culture together,” and that people are encouraged to use their “language however much, or however little, that you know.”

The Caddo people once lived in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma

Memorial notice for Edmond Johnson, the Caddo Nation’s last fluent speaker, highlighting native language extinction risks.

Image credits: Caddo Nation of Oklahoma / Facebook

Comment by Lindsay Dowell reflecting on the loss of an elder and the risk of ancient Native American language extinction.

According to their website, the Caddo people are descendants of agriculturalists who once lived in what is today Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. 

It says that archeologists discovered ancient relics that suggest the tribe could have existed as early as 900 AD.

But in 1542, when Spanish explorers arrived, Caddo’s thriving communities were dispersed.

Ancient Native American village scene depicting daily life with traditional huts and community cooking fire.

Image credits: Night Heron Media / YouTube

Today, the Caddo largely reside in Binger, Oklahoma, far from their ancestral lands.  Local news says there are about “7,000 people enrolled in the Caddo Nation today. Most live in and around Southwest Oklahoma.”

Modern-day efforts to revitalize economic and political institutions have enabled Caddo people to “maintain a distinctive identity today and continue building toward a hopeful and prosperous future.”

After the pandemic, there were only two Caddo tribe members who spoke fluently

Hand-drawn historic map depicting an ancient Native American territory with tribal village illustrations and decorations.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

Map showing historical Caddo language confederacies and bands spanning Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana regions.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

According to a story by NPR station KERA News from 2023, there were actually seven people who spoke Caddo before COVID-19.

“But during the pandemic, the tribe found that five of the seven fluent speakers had d*ed,” the article said.

Group of Native Americans in traditional clothing sitting outside thatched huts, symbolizing language risks of extinction.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

At the time, Tahlate told the outlet that it was “extremely devastating for us. It brought our count to two speakers.”

It was then that Tahlate was officially hired by the tribe to lead a program that would preserve the language.

Traditional Native American people engaging in daily life activities, highlighting cultural heritage and language risks extinction.

Image credits: World history / YouTube

Quote on textured background stating strength of ancient Native American tribe and language at risk of extinction.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

One of her more important responsibilities was working with Johnson, then 93, to preserve and pass along knowledge of the language.

Interestingly, the article said that the origin of the word “Texas” comes from the Caddo word “taysha” which means “friend.”

“Our people mourn with yours”: Members of other Native American tribes send their tributes

Ancient Native American pottery depicting a bird design, symbolizing cultural heritage and language risks extinction.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

Ancient Native American pottery with carved face details representing cultural heritage and language risks extinction.

Image credits: Caddo Nation

Reactions online were heartfelt and supportive. Many people wished Johnson a ‘safe journey’ as is customary in many Native American cultures. It is believed that when someone passes, their spirit lives on in another realm. 

Many messages came in from other Native American nations in the U.S. 

Someone from the Hunkpati Nation wrote: “Our people mourn with yours. Sending strength and hope from the Hunkpati Dakota people living in occupied lands in South Dakota, USA.”

Traditional Native American thatched hut at sunset, symbolizing ancient culture and language risks extinction.

Image credits: Night Heron Media / YouTube

Facebook post by Tegan Loya encouraging speaking Native language unapologetically to help prevent language extinction.

Members of the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations also paid their respects: “Deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and tribe from the Cherokee and Chickasaw Nations.” 

“You all have experienced a great loss. My absolute love and prayers from Members of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma,” wrote another.

“50% of today’s languages will be extinct by 2100”: A UN report says global languages are at risk of extinction

Colorful Native American beaded bracelets displayed on a table, representing cultural heritage and language risks.

Image credits: Night Heron Media / YouTube

 It’s not the only language at risk of going extinct. According to an article in The Guardian from earlier this year, the rate of language loss around the world is increasing.

The article says that a decade ago, one language was reported lost every three months. But since 2019, it’s been “one every 40 days, which is nine languages per year” that are considered extinct.

A Native American woman in traditional clothing near a fire pit demonstrating ancient language and cultural practices outdoors.

Image credits: Night Heron Media / YouTube

The article quotes a United Nations study that estimates that “at least 50 percent of today’s spoken languages will be extinct or seriously endangered by 2100.”

The report says that most of these lost languages are Indigenous. “Humanity may well have only 300-600 oral languages left that are unthreatened by the end of this century.”

Netizens offer support and concern over the fact that a centuries-old language might be lost

Screenshot of a social media comment mourning the loss of an ancient Native American and language risks extinction.

Comment expressing heartbreak over the loss of an ancient Native American and the risk to the Caddo language.

Comment expressing sadness about language loss and wishing to preserve ancient Native American language recordings.

Comment by Daniel Ruwan expressing sorrow over the loss of an ancient Native American and the risk of language extinction.

Screenshot of a comment on language loss discussing last first language speakers and efforts to learn Ojibwe language.

Comment by LeAnna Goombi on social media, expressing admiration and calling grandpa famous with a smiling emoji.

Comment expressing heartbreak over the loss of an ancient Native American and the risk of language extinction.

Comment from Janine Leigh Gardner reflecting on the tragic loss of Native American heritage and language extinction risks.

Comment from Gerard Gagliano expressing condolences on the loss and impact on Native American language extinction risks.

Julia Johnson expresses gratitude for Caddo Nation preserving the endangered Caddo language after her grandpa's passing.

Comment from Monica Davis expressing hope that an ancient Native American shared language knowledge before its risk of extinction.

Comment from Kerry Ann Cesspooch on language preservation and the risk of extinction after ancient Native American elders pass away.

User comment on social media saying thank you for service and sacrifice, highlighting language risks after ancient Native American passes away.

Comment by Darrell J Ryles expressing hope to preserve ancient Native American language and heritage after a loss.

Comment expressing sorrow for the loss of an ancient Native American and hope for language preservation through technology.

Screenshot of a social media comment praising a true American hero with patriotic and celebratory emojis.

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