4 DECEMBER 15, 2002
Smoke Signals
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In Flight Michael Reyes (left) and Sammy Johnson toss paper airplanes from the class balcony. Children in
the class are allowed plenty of fun time, which can be essential to a child's development.
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Continued from page 3 1
ing electric brain."
"We have a group of folks who discuss these
words on regular basis and come up with new
names in Chinuk," said Johnson.
The teachers hope to expand the program to
ensure success.
"We need follow through, otherwise it won't
work," said Whisler. "We need commitment from
the Tribal Council. I hope they realize how im
portant it is to our survival. It's part of our Tribal
heritage. I think it's good when kids can be proud
of their heritage."
Whisler certainly is. She learned Chinuk from
her fluent grandmother. As a girl, Whisler would
listen to her grandmother and aunts gossip in
Chinuk.
"My one goal in life was to have a conversa
tion with her in Chinuk, which I did. Speaking
Chinuk is like keeping her here with me. I love
that."
Whisler is proud to pass the language on to
the children, as her grandmother did to her.
Other Chinuk speakers feel the same.
"To see a new generation of children speaking
the language," said Johnson. "It makes it all
worthwhile." B
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"Ears" "Qxalan" - Tribal youth Cameo Kester touches her ears and repeats "Qxalan" which is the Chinuk
word for ears as Tony Johnson leads the class in an exercise designed to teach the kids to identify with them
selves in Chinuk.
Jackie's Lap
Cameo Kester and
Shayla Ulestad sit in
Language specialist
Jackie Whisler's lap
during story time.
The children are
read to in Chinuk
each day.
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