Co-collaborators. The University of Hawaii Ilokano Program Hawaii, Hawaii, The United States of America; NAKEM Conferences (International); NAKEM Conferences Philippines; NAKEM Conferences California; NAKEM Conferences Canada; & NAKEM Conferences Without Borders

RATIONALE. The United Nation’s declaration of 2022-2032 as the decade of indigenous languages, an offshoot of its declaration of 2019 as the year of indigenous languages, reminds us of the crucial nature of languages and those things that are inextricable to human experience, to peoples and their communities. These are histories, cultures, memories, and local knowledges. Kalinga State University and its partner institutions and organizations take cognizance of this obligation to commit themselves to the promotion and thriving of all languages whether these are indigenous or deemed native to localities, countries, or nations. In addressing the issues of language promotion and thriving, language education, power, ideological apparatuses, and the revitalization of the cultures, collective histories, and people’s memories of themselves and their localities, there is the need to come together and ask the difficult questions in the hope that through those questions, some plausible and reasonable responses could be had. 

The conference specifically aims to:

• Share the various approaches and strategies adopted by various stakeholders in coming to terms with the broader issue of indigenous languages that have been otherwise peripheralized by the institutions of countries all over the world.
• Assess and discuss what worked in the various methodologies deployed in responding to the demands of inclusion and engagement in indigenous and mother languages in the areas of education.
• Analyze the theories and practices in understanding indigenous and minoritized lives, histories, and cultures.
• Propose proactive ways to respond to the challenge of the decade of indigenous and minoritized languages.
• Propose ways on how to productively celebrate diversity and empower native peoples and their communities.

BLIND REFEREEING PROCESS. Paper Proposal Requirements Paper proposals will be blind refereed by members of the Abstract selection committee.

SOME TOPICS FOR CONSIDERATION.• Topics of interest at this conference are the following: (a) theoretical and practical perspectives of inclusion and engagement of indigenous and minoritized languages in the area of basic and higher education; (b) programmatic and policy issues of schools and school systems in engaging indigenous and minoritized languages, cultures, and histories; (c) assessment of tools, resources, and methodologies deployed by various language communities in pursuing the aims of diversity and multilingual education; (d) presentation and evaluation of inclusion and critical engagement strategies in including native languages in all areas of collective life; and (e) theoretical, critical, and philosophical analysis of what else needs to be done to achieve linguistic, cultural, and historical plurality.

ABSTRACTS. Only abstracts of between 150 and 200 words are accepted for presentation at the 15th Nakem International Conference. Each abstract must zero in on the theme, or one or more of the topics listed in this Call for Paper.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION. All abstracts must be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before October 30, 2022.

NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE. Notice of acceptance of abstracts will be emailed to conference paper proponents on or before November 10, 2022.

Notices will be emailed. Only e-versions of Notices of Acceptance will be sent. No other versions will be used; hence, all proponents are advised to have their own personal, or professional, email addresses.