[1] In May 2012, the Linguistics Department of Fresno State University received a $1 million grant to compile a Chuckchansi dictionary and grammar texts,[2] and to "provide support for scholarships, programs, and efforts to assemble native texts and create a curriculum for teaching the language so it can be brought back into social and ritual use.
"[3] The five-year grant was provided by the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians from funds generated by the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, and is expected to speed existing volunteer efforts by CSU Fresno faculty to document and teach the language.
[10] Efforts at documentation of Chukchansi have also been attempted using the Phraselator, a handheld recording device developed for military purposes.
Tribal Chairman Reggie Lewis emphasized the need to "preserve, protect, and revitalize our cultural identity and traditions.
"[15][16] One tribal member, who put it more directly, said, "When [the United States] began the genocide of Native American communities, the reason they allowed us to sign our treaties was because we had a language ...
Miʼin ʼamaʼ noxnoxuchʼ walxotaʼ ʼamaamig, belenwishamʼ ʼam migchʼi jageedaʼan.
Nootunʼ Shokwoʼ ʼamaʼ yoʼ ʼOp wiltaʼ mich jawwan nahniʼ naʼash ʼoxyiwshal ʼam jageeda'an.
Poshtaʼ Nootunʼ Shokwoʼ miʼin meejintaʼ noxnoxuchʼ belenwishtaʼ ʼam jageedaʼan.