When the first tribal colleges were established over 50 years ago, Native American languages were more widely used than today. Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) were envisioned to offer a base for the retention and development of Indigenous languages and cultures, and they would establish archival collections to support this mission. Scholars have also recognized the connection between language revitalization and restoration of culture and a sense of personal identity. The end of the 20th century saw a shift in US federal policy regarding Native languages. Bringing languages back to daily communication and restoring intergenerational transmission are the goals of language revitalization, with even a broader vision of community building. Speaking Native languages is proving to be no easy task for many communities. Trauma affects the brain, and physical and mental health. It affects people's behaviors, and it is passed down to successive generations. When language becomes associated with trauma, attempting to speak it may trigger post-traumatic stress and a range of physical symptoms in people who have been abused in the boarding school system. Tribal colleges around the country encourage students, faculty, and staff to use Indigenous language on campus and at home.