What is "kwak'wala"

Kwak'wala , also known as Kwakiutl , is the indigenous language spoken by the Kwakwaka'wakw (which means "those who speak Kwak'wala"). It belongs to the Wakashan language family. There are fewer than 200 fluent Kwak'wala speakers today, which amounts to 3% of the Kwakwaka'wakw population. Because of the small number of speakers, the fact that very few if any children learn Kwak'wala as a first language, and that most speakers are elders, its long-term viability is in question. However, interest from many Kwakwaka'wakw in preserving their language and a number of revitalization projects are countervailing pressures which may extend the viability of the language.