Hayley Sperling

When economic recession struck in 2008, big banks weren't the only industry dealt a blow. Manufacturers suffered major setbacks, too, particularly automakers. Their struggles sent a ripple effect across the United States, but were felt in one Wisconsin city in particular.

Language shapes how people view the world, build ideas and communicate with others people — it's an integral part of community culture and personal identity. But for many Native American nations, their ancestral languages are on the verge of disappearing.