Save the Ainu Language!

1. The Ainu language is a language of Japan, specifically the Kuril Islands and Hokkaidu, that is nearly extinct. The word Ainu means human in the language.

2. The Ainu have unknown origins but once they came into contact with Japanese people they experienced racism and various conflicts, leading to the banning of their language and near slavery in the Japanese fishing industry. Many Ainu today like to identify as Utari instead.
http://www.statemaster.com/encyclopedia/Ainu

3.
                                                      
This is an image of 5 Ainu gathered around reciting a "Yukar", or tale of a hero. I feel this supports the saving of the Ainu language as the Ainu valued oral literature and within the language reside many stories to be told.
http://www.ainu-museum.or.jp/en/study/eng13.html
4.
                                                           
This is an image of an old Ainu man. It is reflective of the Ainu culture as all men had long beards like him and he is wearing traditional clothes. I feel that this photo just carries within it the feeling of how old and important the traditions were to the Ainu.
http://www.ainu-museum.or.jp/en/study/eng01.html