Help Revitalize Native American languages!

Target:

US Congress

Sponsored by:

Your help is urgently needed to save and revitalize Native American languages. Among the more than 300 original languages once spoken in the U.S. only 155-175 are spoken today. Scholars estimate that only 20 of these remaining indigenous languages are being widely transmitted to today's Native children. Fully 70 languages could vanish within the next 10 years without immediate and significant funding for tribal language programs.

The National Alliance to Save Native Languages, an intertribal leadership coalition says, "Native languages are national treasures that have served this nation in time of war, with the legendary service of Native code talkers, and they remain vital part of Native American culture and identity today. Notably, Native students who are fluent in both English and their Native language perform substantially better academically, including on national assessment tests, than Native students who have not gone through such a program."

Please sign our petition to Congress urging them to support funding for Native language programs in the FY 2009 Budget of the Administration for Native Americans, Dept. of Health and Human Services. With its historic passage of the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-394), Congress recognized the critical funding needs of Native language revitalization efforts. The FY 2008 budget included $2million in Esther Martinez Language Preservation Act funding; however several hundred tribes must compete for these 25-45 grants.

JOIN CULTURAL SURVIVAL AND THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO SAVE NATIVE LANGUAGES IN SENDING THE MESSAGE TO CONGRESS THAT REVITALIZING NATIVE LANGUAGES IS CRITICAL TO NATIVE CULTURAL IDENTITY, SPIRITUALITY AND SURVIVAL, AS WELL AS TO THE ULTIMATE SUCCESS OF NATIVE STUDENTS.

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Honorable Congresswo/man [Name];

Among the more than 300 Native American languages once spoken in the U.S. only about 155-175 remain today, and fully 135 are only spoken by elders within Native American communities. This means only 20 languages are still being actively transmitted to younger generations. Scholars have estimated that within ten years over 70 of these languages will cease to exist. Tribal language revitalization programs urgently need a substantial increase in funding for the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (P.L. 109-394).

Young Native Americans across the U.S. are demanding the right to learn the language of their ancestors to honor their cultural and spiritual beliefs and build healthy foundations for future generations of Native peoples.

The National Alliance to Save Native Languages, an intertribal leadership coalition says, %u201CNative languages are national treasures that have served this nation in time of war, with the legendary service of Native code talkers, and they remain a vital part of Native American culture and identity today. Furthermore, Native students who are fluent in both English and their Native language perform substantially better academically, including on national assessment tests.%u201D

I am writing you to urge you to support and increase funding for Native American language revitalization programs in the FY 2009 Budget as the $2million in aid allotted through in FY 2008 funded only 25-45 language grants through the Administration for Native Americans, which hundreds of tribes must compete to receive.

Please join the National Alliance to Save Native Languages and Cultural Survival in working to increase federal funding to a minimum of $10 million to keep Native American languages, our common national cultural heritage, from falling silent.

Thank you for your consideration

Respectfully,

{Your Name}

{Mailing Address}

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Honorable Congresswo/man [Name];

Thank you for your consideration

Respectfully,

{Your Name}

{Mailing Address}

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Honorable Congresswo/man [Name];

Thank you for your consideration

Respectfully,

{Your Name}

{Mailing Address}

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We signed the "Help Revitalize Native American languages!" petition!

# 810:

3:12 am PST, Dec 11, Hans Urlings, Netherlands
I think it's very important for a people to keep and maintain its identity! The right to learn its native language is fundamental and crucial for its own future. The natives deserve our respect and support!

# 809:

10:00 am PST, Dec 10, Sandra Beene, Texas
Preserve our heritage.

# 808:

5:11 am PST, Dec 10, Bianca Kruitz, Netherlands

# 807:

4:48 am PST, Dec 10, Hoogstad-van Soldt J.P., Netherlands
Dear Honorable Congressmember, Among the more than 300 Native American languages once spoken in the U.S. only about 155-175 remain today, and fully 135 are only spoken by elders within Native American communities. This means only 20 languages are still being actively transmitted to younger generations. Scholars have estimated that within ten years over 70 of these languages will cease to exist. Tribal language revitalization programs urgently need a substantial increase in funding for the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (P.L. 109-394). Young Native Americans across the U.S. have the right to learn the language of their ancestors to honor their cultural and spiritual beliefs and build healthy foundations for future generations of Native peoples. The National Alliance to Save Native Languages, an intertribal leadership coalition says, Native languages are national treasures that have served this nation in time of war, with the legendary service of Native code talkers, and they remain a vital part of Native American culture and identity today. Furthermore, Native students who are fluent in both English and their Native language perform substantially better academically, including on national assessment tests. I am writing you to urge you to support and increase funding for Native American language revitalization programs in the FY 2009 Budget as the $2 million in aid allotted through in FY 2008 funded only 25-45 language grants through the Administration for Native Americans, which hundreds of tribes must compete to receive. Please aid the National Alliance to Save Native Languages and Cultural Survival to keep Native American languages, the US national cultural heritage, from falling silent. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Jessica P. Hoogstad-van Soldt rl.hoogstad@versatel.nl

# 806:

8:09 am PST, Dec 8, Nelson Carey, Connecticut
i have been working on the language since i was ten years old i am 42 now it has been dear to my heart it is hard because no one in the area can still speak very well now it seems the two tribes come out with a new language every week and this nonsence of mohegan has there language and mashintucket has theirs that is itiotic we all speek the maheekanook dialic

# 805:

5:29 am PST, Dec 8, Name not displayed, Arizona

# 804:

2:14 pm PST, Dec 5, Jola WallowingBull, Wyoming

# 803:

1:54 pm PST, Dec 5, Kim Johnson, Colorado
For more impact, add a personal comment here

# 802:

1:58 pm PST, Dec 4, Name not displayed, Oregon
As a member of the academy I care about the loss of a language and the knowledge that is lost with it. As a teacher I understand the academic advantage of knowing/speaking one's Native language. As a grandmother I see the sense of identity and cultural pride my grandchildren have developed as they have learned to speak the language of their ancestors. Preservation of Native languages is a basic human right and it is essential to the decolonizing processes of healing and reclaiming.

# 801:

12:15 pm PST, Dec 4, Janet Johnson, Oklahoma

# 800:

11:25 am PST, Dec 4, Jennifer Johnson, Oklahoma

# 799:

1:02 am PST, Dec 4, Name not displayed, Idaho
It's sad to see these languages disappearing. Languages are part of culture, and their disappearance also implies the disappearance of culture. This is a very bad thing. Diversity is important for the World, not just America.

# 798:

3:02 pm PST, Dec 1, Name not displayed, Washington

# 797:

11:08 am PST, Dec 1, Lorna Jim, Washington
Our language is important in all of our traditional ceremonies.

# 796:

4:51 pm PST, Nov 29, Diana Libby, New Hampshire
Preserving Native American Languages is an important part of preserving our country's history. Language represents culture and these languages explain these cultures in a way that nothing else can and will. This is needed now and for future generations.

# 795:

9:27 am PST, Nov 27, Name not displayed, Illinois

# 794:

5:21 pm PST, Nov 25, Nicholas Velluzzi, South Carolina

# 793:

6:07 am PST, Nov 25, JUAN CARLOS RADOVICH, Argentina

# 792:

1:36 am PST, Nov 25, Chakwaina Reeves, Tennessee
It appalls me that the language and culture of my Ancestors was forcefully striped from them, thereby denying it to my grandparnts, parents and grandchildren. Please, help us preserve our language before all those that speak it cross over to the Spirit World.

# 791:

1:16 pm PST, Nov 24, Radford Quamahongnewa, Arizona
Hopi is our Religion. I, a Hopi Elder, is determimed to maintain and practice the Hopi religion just as other American citizens in the United States of America based on the freedom of religion. I am also adamant about teaching of the Hopi language. Through Hopi language our spirituality and all cultural and traditional knowledge will be preserved. Please consider this in support of the Native American Language Program appropriations for FY 2009.

# 790:

7:24 pm PST, Nov 23, Name not displayed, Australia
I urge you to support and increase funding for Native American language revitalization programs in the FY 2009 Budget. The $2million in aid allotted through in FY 2008 funded only 25-45 language grants through the Administration for Native Americans, which hundreds of tribes must compete to receive. Please recognise the urgent situation, and the inestimable contribution the diversity of the world's languages makes to human knowledge, culture, and identity.

# 789:

1:47 pm PST, Nov 23, Name not displayed, Massachusetts

# 788:

9:58 am PST, Nov 23, Name not displayed, California

# 787:

8:52 pm PST, Nov 22, Beth Grendahl, Oregon
When a language dies, an essential part of a culture is lost.

# 786:

12:54 pm PST, Nov 22, Miranda Q, Virginia

# 785:

2:15 am PST, Nov 22, Victoria Spalding, United Kingdom
As a Psychological Anthropologist I am very concerned about the impact of losing language, knowledge and identity on peoples wellbeing. The impact of cultural extinction on native americans is still very much in evidence. Support of language and culture not only enables such communities to thrive in health and education, we are all offered an opportunity to share in the wealth of knowledge this supports.

# 784:

11:24 pm PST, Nov 21, Kenneth Rehg, Hawaii

# 783:

9:46 pm PST, Nov 21, Name not displayed, Washington

# 782:

6:11 pm PST, Nov 21, Miranda Jane, Virginia

# 781:

5:19 pm PST, Nov 21, Jedonna Shelton, Indiana
The American Indian needs to keep in touch with their culture,language. They have had so much taken from them. I am all for this petition.

# 780:

4:11 pm PST, Nov 21, Name not displayed, Washington
By children learning their language; not only will they keep the candle buring for their language and culture but also increase brain development if learned at a young age. This in turn will assist learning and scores that are necessary for No Child Left Behind.

# 779:

2:31 pm PST, Nov 21, Wendy Bedoya, Maryland
we should all have the right to freedom of speech

# 778:

1:17 pm PST, Nov 21, Maralyn Crosetto, Washington

# 777:

9:34 am PST, Nov 21, Janine Bowechop, Washington
Preserving the Native American languages of the United States of America is critical to preserving the diversity of identity in our country. Previous government policy attempted to eradicate native languages and customs, but funding for native language preservation can help undo the damaging effects of those programs.

# 776:

9:26 am PST, Nov 21, Tonia Young, South Dakota

# 775:

8:32 am PST, Nov 21, Stephen K. Comer, New York

# 774:

8:18 am PST, Nov 21, Danielle Piscatelli, Massachusetts

# 773:

8:12 am PST, Nov 21, Maaliish Miller, Wisconsin
We are in the process of trying to keep the language alive and spoken by learning from our relatives in Canada. Speakers are dwindling. We need to change that.

# 772:

8:05 am PST, Nov 21, Name not displayed, Washington

# 771:

7:56 am PST, Nov 21, Name not displayed, Wisconsin
�I was on the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation in Wisconsin when the last native speaker of Munsee, a 90-year-old tribal elder died.� - Barbara Boseker At least a half of a century had passed until the people began to ask each other, �What is our language?� and �Can you teach me what you remember.� A few words could be recalled, but then the people began to ask, �Who else speaks our language outside of our community?� 1974 marks the beginning of Munsee language revitalization efforts in the Stockbridge-Munsee community. During this time of reawakening Hannah Aikins (Munsee from Detroit, Michigan and Moraviantown, Ontario) came to the Stockbridge-Munsee community to find people that were interested in their native language. While teaching the Munsee language in Stockbridge she explained that it was difficult to find others within her own community that shared her interest to keep the language alive, and that with the lack of fellow speakers she was beginning to forget how to speak herself. From 1978 to present, involved members of the Stockbridge-Munsee community have traveled to multiple Munsee-Lunaape (Delaware) communities in Canada to learn language from Hannah Aikins, Bill Dolson, Emily Johnson, Glenn Jacobs, Velma Noah and Bruce Stonefish (Hannah Aikins� grandson). For the past 34 years small language resource repositories have been developed by tribal members. These collections include various forms of media that document the language. In 1980 tribal members voiced a need to develop a language program and curriculum for public schools. This aspiration was partially met in 1993 when the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council (SMTC) approved to match funds for a public school instructor of tribal cultural heritage but excluded language instruction from the original program. With the assistance of fluent and learning speakers from Canada, Stockbridge-Munsee tribal members have been able to conduct brief language classes in the community that have been held during 1997; 2002; 2006; 2007; and 2008. Since 2005 there has been consistent attendance of tribal members at all annual Lunaape Language Immersion Camps held in Moraviantown, Ontario. Within the same year a written request for support and commitment to develop a language program was addressed to the SMTC. Presently, tribal members continue to find avenues through which the community will gain access to the Munsee language whether through short term funding or volunteering. Recent efforts to stabilize language instruction and use include holding weekly evening classes at the Church of the Wilderness. To date, tribal members have not been able to convince the tribal government the need to establish a language revitalization and research program due to controversial subjects surrounding multiple tribal identities which has existed within the community for over 150 years when the Munsee, Mohican, and related Algonquin tribes joined together under one governing body to ensure survival upon removal from their homelands in present day New England to Wisconsin. Koolamalsi, Nii ndushiinzii Maahniik. Nii noonjiiyayii Whanaktukook Minsii Mohheconnuck (Stockbridge-Munsee/Mohican Community, Wisconsin, USA.) Nii Minsiiwi waak Mohheconneewi waak Omaha waak Muskogee-Creek Oxkwee, Nii aalangoomaatitt Waapiitii. Nii dihuluniixsi (Chungii). Translation: How are you, My name is Maahniik. I am from the Stockbridge-Munsee band of Mohicans community in Wisconsin, USA. I am Munsee, Mohican, Omaha and Muskogee Creek; Elk Clan. I speak our native language (a little).

# 770:

4:11 am PST, Nov 21, Claudio Gonz�lez-Parra, Chile
The impact of the languages lost on natives is almost ecual if tomorrow the sun do not "despierte"

# 769:

2:11 am PST, Nov 21, Janos Samu, Hawaii
Language is a key to the survival of culture.

# 768:

10:05 pm PST, Nov 20, Barry MacLean, Washington
The subtleties of belief systems, oral histories, traditions, ceremonies, and healing methods are often lost when an indigenous language is translated. That assumes, of course, that these cultural foundations have been translated in the first place, which in most cases they have not. More than just a language is lost, an entire culture is diminished.

# 767:

8:25 pm PST, Nov 20, Alan Boling, South Carolina
Language is a most wonderful and intricate component of these now fragile collections of people within the United States. Language not only illuminates a persons connection with the past but also with their collective identities and self-esteem. Each culture and language illuminates truths of life within it's very own way and paradigm. To loose these points of view and timeless knowledge would be tragic and most unfortunate. Please consider these factors when considering appropriations for our Native Peoples who have for so long been victims of societies stereotypes and discrimination both historically and presently. Sincerely, Alan Boling

# 766:

8:12 pm PST, Nov 20, Alice Anderton, Oklahoma

# 765:

6:39 pm PST, Nov 20, Shari Astalos, Florida

# 764:

6:29 pm PST, Nov 20, Anna L. Lindley, Oregon

# 763:

6:00 pm PST, Nov 20, Deborah Donovan, Colorado
A century ago, the U.S. government tried to eradicate Native cultures; now is our chance to help preserve these endangered Native languages so they can be preserved for future generations.

# 762:

5:45 pm PST, Nov 20, Rachel Crandell, Missouri
Language is the conveyor of culture and knowledge. Some languages know what none of the rest of us know. When we lose that language the knowledge is gone. Endangered languages are as important as endangered species.

# 761:

5:13 pm PST, Nov 20, Name not displayed, Washington
Loss of language means loss of knowledge. Let's have the wisdom to retain what we have.

# 760:

4:15 pm PST, Nov 20, Sayra Pinto-Wilson, Massachusetts
By choosing to preserve our indigenous languages, all U.S. citizens choose to maintain their sense of history, dignify a very important sector of our population and generate a sense of place for millions yet to be born. At a time when the country has chosen the road of unity, we must continue to work to unite all of our people, not further disenfranchise them and render their culture and traditions worthless.

# 759:

4:07 pm PST, Nov 20, Lydia Garvey, Oklahoma

# 758:

4:00 pm PST, Nov 20, Marina Drummer, California
As the administrator of the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival for the last 8 years, I cannot stress strongly enough the urgent need to save the wisdom encapsulated in these endangered languages. Please help. Marina Drummer

# 757:

3:25 pm PST, Nov 20, Karolina Simmons, Massachusetts
Saving/Preserving a native language is a matter of civil rights! In addition, there are substantive academic reasons (documenting the gamut of human languages), community identity issues (people identify themselves by the language they speak) and economic benefits (just as there were economic reasons for language suppression, the economy would benefit from having more multi-lingual people because they will be more productive).

# 756:

2:48 pm PST, Nov 20, Alana Begay, Washington

# 755:

2:23 pm PST, Nov 20, Roberta Anderson, Montana
Preservation of language is preservation of cultural diversity, the cornerstone of our country. Here in western Montana we have both the Salish and Kootenai languages which are in danger of dying out. We are all karmically responsible for our near-genocide of tribal peoples here in American, and we need to do all we can to help to heal these deep wounds.

# 754:

2:11 pm PST, Nov 20, Hector Gonzalez (Taino), Connecticut

# 753:

2:00 pm PST, Nov 20, Yulia Sugandi, Germany

# 752:

2:00 pm PST, Nov 20, Nora Jamieson, Connecticut
This is an opportunity to begin to openly acknowledge white people's near genocide of the native peoples of this land and to back that with reparative action. Let us do what is right.

# 751:

1:55 pm PST, Nov 20, Emily Arfin, Washington
Diversity of language is as important to our survival as saving endangered species of animals and plants -- a critical part of our ecosystems. Losing a community's language often accompanies the loss of knowledge of natural medicines, traditional uses of plant life, and indigenous technologies. These technologies and knowledges may be precisely what is needed now more than ever as we attempt to live in more sustainable and environmentally-sound ways.

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