Spilyay Tyrooo, Wqrrn Spun js, Oregon October 18, 2001
THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES LANGUAGE LESSON-
To the People of Warm Springs:
I have information that our program would
like to share with you, so that you will remain up
dated to what we are doing and what it means for
our community and our children. Following is infor
mation on fluent speakers in the community and
how the Administration for Native Americans' Lan
guage Grant will assist with our efforts to revitalize
and maintain our three languages and cultures of
Warm Springs.
In January of 1999, an informal verbal survey
conducted during gatherings, senior lunches, plan
ning meetings and general conversations were com
pleted of our Elders to identify fluent speakers. For
all three languages, we found that all the fluent
speakers were 50 years of age and older, had ac
quired their language as their first language, and that
approximately 1,500 community members between
the ages of 25 and 50 knew simple phrases and
words in one of the three languages. There has been
no clear definition of what a 'fluent speaker' is. The
surveyed Elders indicated that if a person can speak,
understand and carry on a conversation, they are
fluent. Conversely, if a person can understand a few
words or phrases, but cannot carry on a conversa
tion, they are not fluent. The following table sum
marizes our findings.
Tribe
Language
Fluent Males
Fluent Females
of Warm Springs
population 5 years
& older (3,576) .
Warm Springs
Ichishkiin
15
20
Wasco
Kiksht
1
5
.2
Paiute
Numu
1
6
.3
Age group is 50 years and older, with the Wasco age group 70
years and older. rr, f.,.t; ,-).-.. ,v.: (.,. . ; : ,,-,.
The above information gave us a picture of
the critical loss of all our fluent speakers over the
next ten years. In the two years since the informal
survey, we have lost four Elder fluent speakers, a
loss ratio of 8 per year.
During the 1997-98 school year, the Jefferson
County School District allowed us to introduce
hour language lessons as part of the curriculum. As
a result, 97 Indian students were exposed to their
native Sahaptin language.
The 1999-2000 school year was the first year
that twenty-five students were introduced to the
Paiute and Wasco language. For the 2000
2001 school year, 226 students in grades K-3 are
receiving classes in Sahaptin and 75 students in
grades K-l are receiving instruction in Paiute and
Wasco native languages. The lessons learned in the
classroom however, are not reaching parents or the
Tribal community at large, for the transfer and pres
ervation of the language.
In the present Warm Springs Language Pro
grams there are currently 601 tribal members par
ticipating in community-based and school-based
programs. This translates into one of every six
Tribal members with some native language skills.
It also gives us a baseline for measuring growth and
preservation. There are 12 fluent speakers involved
directly with the current language programs. Our
program emphasis will be on the recruiting and use
of our Elders. The following is a breakout of
baseline data for showing growth in each language.
Participants Ichishkiin Kiksht Numu
0 to 5 years. 10 4 5
6-12 years. 310 45 25
13-20 years. 72 10 6
21-34 years. 18 3 6
35-50 years 23 9 6
50 40 4 5
Totals 601 473 75 53
Although we have 601 involved with the pro
gram at various times throughout the year, we recog
nize the need to focus more work on the development
of fluent speakers in each of the three languages.
With the ANA Grant funds, we will be doing some
additional things, such as:
$ Working closer with other elder fluent speak
ers. $ Dedicating Fridays to immersion techniques.
$ Audio and video recordings of information in
language only.
$ Development of materials to be used in
homes.
U Host week long immersion camps.
H" Develop assessment tools based on bench
mark system.
U" Continue to seek advice from community on
what works for them.
ft Prepare fluent speakers for application for
Native Language Teachers' Certification.
In view of the endangered situation that our
languages face, we would like to encourage those
who may have an interest to please take the time to
commit yourself to the efforts, to revitalize our lan
guages of Warm Springs. As one of the elders made
comment to at the Legislative Hearings in Salem:
"If we lose our languages and culture, we will no
longer be Indian."
P P
JL -2-.JL
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Qawat? Lun
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a
Watch for employment opportu
nities with Culture and Heritage
Language Program.
IT
Agency Language Classes
the Language Trailer
behind the Old Boys Dorm
Paiute Language
will start again October 24
Wed. 3:30-4:30 PM
Sahaptin Language
will start again October 22
Tues. & Thurs. 3:30-4:30 PM
Wasco Language
Thurs. 5:00-6:30 PM
Simnasho Language Classes
Sahaptin Language
Simnasho Longhouse
Sahaptin Language
still going strong
Tues. & Thurs.
6:00 to 7:30
Can you add in Kiksht like you
children in Ms.Comingore,
Graham and FisherVarela?
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Tai it'ukdi!