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| Wilson Announces Native American Languages Bill |
February 14, 2006 |
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Welcomes National Indian Education Association to Nation’s Capital
Albuquerque, NM – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced she will be introducing the Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 and welcomed the National Indian Education Association to the nation’s capital city for their Legislative Summit.
The Wilson bill authorizes grants through the U.S. Department of Education to establish Native American language “nests” for students under the age of seven and their families and Native American language survival schools.
“These native languages are national treasures and part of a unique heritage. These languages will not be preserved without attention and effort, and once lost, may never be recovered,” Wilson said.
“The National Indian Education Association applauds and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Congresswoman Wilson in her efforts to save Native American Languages. Not only are these languages sacred to Indian tribes but they are a part of the sacred heritage of all Americans,” said Ryan Wilson, Oglala Lakota, NIEA President.
“Central to the heritage of Native Americans all over the U.S. is the presence of tens and hundreds of communities who continue to speak their own languages. These languages are now under pressure, and I strongly support and welcome the Native American Languages Preservation Act, which will help sustain Native American languages and the communities who speak them,” said Reed Dasenbrock, Interim Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs at UNM.
"Native Americans are at a crossroads today as we seek to maintain, revitalize and preserve our languages. Some tribes are within a generation of losing their language and it is vital that we seek innovative measures to protect and preserve not only our languages, but ultimately our cultures and our identity as Native people," said Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert, Hopi, NIEA Secretary.
The bill also requires the establishment of demonstration program that will provide assistance to Native American language survival schools and Native American languages nests. The University of New Mexico is eligible to apply for this project, and fits each criterion demanded by the bill’s guidelines for the demonstration program.
Of the 40 tribal universities and colleges in the United States, New Mexico is home to three that can apply for grants through this legislation: Crownpoint Institute of Technology, the Institute of American Indian Arts, and Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute.
Congresswoman Wilson will join the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) at tonight’s reception during their 9th Annual Legislative Summit. Other attendees include Joe Garcia, President of the National Congress of American Indians and President of San Juan Pueblo, President Joe Shirley of the Navajo Nation, New Mexican tribal members and Members of the All Indian Pueblo Council.
Congresswoman Wilson’s bill was included in the NIEA’s list of priorities during their State of Indian Education discussion Monday morning on C-SPAN.
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