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