Image provided by: The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Warm Springs, OR
About Spilyay tymoo. (Warm Springs, Or.) 1976-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 2001)
Page 6 Spilyqy Tymoo, Wrro Springs, Oregon April 5, 2001 THE CONFEDERATED LANGUAGE LESSON- Elders and Language Program support Senate Bill 690 mm " mm mmmmmmmmmm J.' '''U . : V-, '. f i Mill - history of the tribes. The bill passed 28-0 and was sent to the House, Madeline Brunoe Mclnturff, 85, said she wants the law to raise the status of native lan guages speakers in the tribe. She is teaching Wasco to younger tribal m embers who are in turn are teaching it all children in Warm Springs Elemen tary School. She is one of the few remaining tribal members who speaks the language fluently. " The bill allows tribal members who know the various languages to set standards of proficiency for native language teachers. If the bill becomes law, it would allow the special licenses in 2002. " Native American people throughout the state came to witness the legislative process. Representatives from Grand Ronde, Pendleton, Klamath, Burns and Warm Springs lined the halls in their best regalia and brightest faces. Witnessed by the many elders who speak the languages of the Wasco, Warm Springs, and Paiute people, the vote at the senate hearing regarding Native American Language Certification passed through the senate with overwhelming support from all districts. The vote was 28 "Al's" and 0 "Nays," in favor of creating a license that would grant special certification of Native Ameri can Speakers to teach the language in classrooms. Below is an excerpts from the Statesman Journal written by Steven Carter who witnessed this "historical moment."- "The bill sponsored by Sens. Bev Clarno, R Bend, and Kate Brown, D-Portland, was sought by the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation to give official teacher status to older tribal members who are passing the Wasco, Paiute and Sahaptin languages to a new generation. Brown said Native American languages are in dan ger of disappearing, and with the much of cultural hi mm i n i i mi iii-iiiJPiWmWiHWMWBWBHMMMBBMWBBWBWiP 111 - pw''";-y It was a day to be remembered by these language warriors. A process that started over 20 years ago, by elders who had a premonition that our languages would no longer be spoken by our Root Digging Field Trip Scheduled for April 11 -Kindergarten April 12-First Grade Materials Your Child Will Need (if you have them) J1 children. They were right and here we are, grasping on to what we have. Trying to revive the languages through our children, and succeeding in a way that surpasses our expectations. While some are being exposed to one language many are being exposed to their family language and a sister langauge as well, and a select few are learning three languages at the same time. The language learning doesn't stop with the third grade, the high school students are learning as well. While being exposed to all three languages, the students were able to separate and master most of the animals, colors and immediate family in 6 hours. Given an exam at the end the of the class, most knew at least 80 of what was being taught and one student had missed two questions out of three exams. Quite impressive. These students can share with little brothers or sisters (cousins) what theyv'e learned. We look forward to the day when our children will ask an question in ichishkiin and the response will be in kiksht. And the person overhearing them will share in numu their point of view and everyone will have an understanding of what is being said. This special license, if passed by the Oregon State Government, is granted to teachers who the Tribe permits to teach the native languages to our children. The Tribe sets the guidelines and stan dards for those who enter into the classroom, it declares who is fluent enough in the langauge to teach. Unfortunately unless you make a point to learn this language.Jt isn't for you, it will be for your children and grandchildren. What Do You Think? About the radio broadcast and the three languages on the radio? Your favorite Language is now on everyday! Listen to KWSO at 6:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 6:30 PM April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00 All teg hers at WSJ 1 5 6 7 10:30 First ; ;rade teacers it WSE . 1:45 Dallas AArlita at V'SE fcVerVClay 2:30 Dallas & Arlita at W SE All classes i re 12 hour e ich 8 g 1:00 1Q l:00Waspj 3:30 1 2 1:00 1 3 1 4 Wasco Cur Cur 3:30 Paiute Clss Pai Curr Ichishkiin 3:45 ECE 3:30 Sah CI: 6:00 Wasco Ichishkiin 5:00WasCh Comm Clas 15 16 1:00 17 lOOWasfg 3:30 1g 1:00 2Q Wasco Cur Cur 3:30 Paiute Clss Pai Curr Ichishkiin 3:45 ECE 3:30 Sah Cli 6:00 Wasco Ichishkiin 5:00WasCh Comm Clasi 22 23 1:00 24 1:00Wa2S 3:30 26 1:00 27 28 Wasco Cur Cur 3:30 Paiute Clss Pai Curr Ichishkiin 3:45 ECE 3:30 Sah CI 6:00 Wasco Ichishkiin 5:00WasCl: Comm Clas! 29 30 1:00 1:00 Wasco 3:30 1:00 Wasco Cur Cur 3:30 Paiute Clss Pai Curr Ichishkiin 3;45 ECE 3:30 Sah Cli 6:00 Wasco Ichishkiin 5:0OWasCl; Comm Clasi V Don't Have an Aqwalq (root digging bag) for your child for the Root Digging Field Trip? Make onc.with us. The K-l Language Teachers are having a get together on April 9, 2001 3:30 to 5:30 PM at the old boys dorm. All you need is a old pair of men's denim jeans or canvas material. Join us, Kve'll have lots of fun. Call Deanie, Suzie, Pat or Val to sign up 553-33933356. i