Language revitalization efforts are often linked to broader efforts to restore traditional values and community health – to disrupt existing dynamics and move towards better ones. This process often creates tensions between different stakeholders, as shown in the case of myaamia. Because the language had gone out of use entirely, it could not be transmitted from older generations to youth through cultural practices, but depended on learning from written materials. Revitalization may entail engaging in social practices that are different from an ‘ideal’ community dynamic, but conflicting opinions show that people are invested in their community’s future. In myaamia, alliances were fostered with other communities, and it was important to balance the needs, expertise and goals of different groups, acknowledging (and celebrating) the different backgrounds of the range of speakers and researchers who contributed to creating language resources. The capsule describes the case of Makushi, Guyana, addressing how power can be mediated between multiple stakeholders (with different levels of involvement and resources) when no acknowledged language authority exists.