From our Friends, the Quakers...
Native American Language Protection
Once rich in its diversity of languages, North America is rapidly loosing its native tongues. Historians and linguists estimate that there were between 1,000--2,000 distinct spoken native languages at the time Columbus landed in North America. Today, that number has dwindled to approximately 155 Native American and Alaskan Native languages spoken; but over one - third of them have fewer than 100 speakers.
The decline in the use of native languages is a result of many historical factors, including federal relocation and assimilation policies, mandates forbidding children from speaking native languages in schools, and the "English only" movement which thwarted past bilingual education efforts.
To preserve the remaining native languages and to encourage their use in schools, Senator Inouye (HI) introduced S 575, legislation that would amend the Native American Languages Act of 2003. S 575 would extend grants to Native American language survival schools with the goal of revitalizing, strengthening, and reestablishing tribal languages in Native American, Alaskan Indian, and Native Hawaiian communities. The grants provide centers, or language "nests," the resources to instruct students below the age of seven in their native language while giving essential language instruction to the families of participating students. The multi-generational approach to revitalizing Native American languages, supported in S. 575, is an important step to re-establishing the waning languages as a prominent component of tribal culture and daily life. The family-oriented method of language revitalization, with a focus on youth, is an "innovative means of addressing the effects of past discrimination against Native American language speakers." Currently, the bill remains in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Identical legislation was introduced by Rep. Ed Case (HI) in the House. To express support for this legislation and native language preservation, contact your senators and representative. Visit FCNL's web site to get your member's contact information.
Once rich in its diversity of languages, North America is rapidly loosing its native tongues. Historians and linguists estimate that there were between 1,000--2,000 distinct spoken native languages at the time Columbus landed in North America. Today, that number has dwindled to approximately 155 Native American and Alaskan Native languages spoken; but over one - third of them have fewer than 100 speakers.
The decline in the use of native languages is a result of many historical factors, including federal relocation and assimilation policies, mandates forbidding children from speaking native languages in schools, and the "English only" movement which thwarted past bilingual education efforts.
To preserve the remaining native languages and to encourage their use in schools, Senator Inouye (HI) introduced S 575, legislation that would amend the Native American Languages Act of 2003. S 575 would extend grants to Native American language survival schools with the goal of revitalizing, strengthening, and reestablishing tribal languages in Native American, Alaskan Indian, and Native Hawaiian communities. The grants provide centers, or language "nests," the resources to instruct students below the age of seven in their native language while giving essential language instruction to the families of participating students. The multi-generational approach to revitalizing Native American languages, supported in S. 575, is an important step to re-establishing the waning languages as a prominent component of tribal culture and daily life. The family-oriented method of language revitalization, with a focus on youth, is an "innovative means of addressing the effects of past discrimination against Native American language speakers." Currently, the bill remains in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Identical legislation was introduced by Rep. Ed Case (HI) in the House. To express support for this legislation and native language preservation, contact your senators and representative. Visit FCNL's web site to get your member's contact information.
posted by BLONDIE at 3:40 PM
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