NEED TO KNOW

• Edmond Johnson, the last fluent speaker of an ancient Native American language, has died at age 95
• The Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced his death on July 14, describing Johnson as a “vital knowledge bearer of our language” and “treasured elder”
• The tribe plans to continue their work to preserve the Caddo language following Johnson’s death

A Native American tribe is mourning the loss of one of their beloved members — and a “vital knowledge bearer” of their ancient language.

On Monday, July 14, the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma announced the death of Edmond Johnson, 95, on Facebook. The tribe described Johnson as being the last fluent speaker of the Caddo language.

“Mr. Johnson was not only a vital knowledge bearer of our language and a treasured elder. His passing marks an irreplaceable loss to our heritage, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who mourn with us,” they wrote, alongside a photo of Johnson.

In the post, the Caddo Nation shared that they would be closing their Tribal Administration Office on Tuesday, July 15, in observance of funeral proceedings for Johnson.

“This closure is a moment for reflection, mourning and gratitude for the knowledge and spirit he carried on behalf of our ancestors and future generations,” they wrote. “We ask that each of you take this time to honor him in your own way — through prayer, remembrance, or by simply speaking his name.”

Bobby Gonzalez, chairman of the Caddo Nation, told local ABC station KOCO News 5 that the ancient language is “what makes us Caddo” as he spoke about how it’s deeply tied to the tribe’s identity.

Over the past few years, Johnson — whom Gonzalez said “meant a lot to our people” — had been working with the tribe’s language preservation director, Alaina Tahlate, to keep the Caddo language alive.

“He was really good at explaining things, [an] awesome storyteller,” Tahlate told KOCO News 5. “The language connects every part of our culture together. Use your language however much, or however little, that you know.”

To honor Johnson and their rich heritage, the tribe plans to continue working to preserve the language, with the help of a fund they plan to establish.

“We’re doing everything we can to preserve what we can with the people that we know that can still understand it,” Gonzalez told the outlet.

According to their website, the Caddo people are descendants of agriculturalists whose ancient homelands are what is today Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Archeologists recovered ancient items that suggest the tribe existed as early as 900 AD.

When Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s expedition entered the region in 1542, the Caddo’s thriving communities dispersed along the Brazos, Trinity, Neches, Sabine, Red and Ouachita rivers.

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After “multiple forced removals,” the Caddo eventually relocated to what is now Caddo County in Oklahoma.

“Twentieth-century efforts to revitalize economic, social, political and religious institutions have enabled Caddo people to maintain a distinctive identity today and continue building toward a hopeful and prosperous future,” the tribe said on its website.