Tribal elders often possess unique knowledge of language and history that is all the more valuable because tribes commonly pass down their traditions orally. That means losing elders to the virus could wipe out irreplaceable pieces of culture. “With them goes so much information in terms of language knowledge, dialect, specialized knowledge of medicine and traditional practices,” he said. Pequot elders play an important role in the effort to revive the tribe's language, which is no longer widely spoken. Karen Ketcher was among 28 Cherokee Nation elders who have died from the coronavirus.

Source: ABC News December 27, 2020 14:48 UTC