During the 1980s, in the town of Nibutani (part of Biratori, Hokkaido), where many of the remaining native speakers live, there were 100 speakers, out of which only 15 used the language every day.
Nibutani's best known son is perhaps Shigeru Kayano, an advocate for the Ainu and Ainu language and culture.
•
The Nibutani Dam was constructed in Nibutani (二風谷) district on the Saru River, though there was a strong objection due to a sacred meaning of the place for indigenous Ainu people.