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South Dakota could become one of the few states in the country to officially recognize Indigenous languages. After emotional testimony by tribal leaders and language experts, the Senate State Affairs Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 126 that makes Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota the state’s official Indigenous languages. At the same time the U.S. Senate is considering reauthorizing the Ester Martinez Language Act that expired in 2012. The landmark legislation first passed in 2006 and allocates funding for Native language revitalization efforts across the country. We’ll learn more about legislative actions to help revitalize Native languages.
Guests:
Troy Heinert (Rosebud Sioux) – South Dakota state senator representing district 26
Nakina Mills (Oglala Sioux Tribe) – councilwoman for the Oglala Sioux Tribe representing the Pine Ridge Village
Dr. Matthew Martinez (Ohkay Owingeh) – former lieutenant governor of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and a member of the Ohkay Owingeh school board
Dr. Ofelia Zepeda (Tohono O’odham) – regents professor in the linguistics department at the University of Arizona
Break 1 Music: Encouragement Song (song) Sissy Goodhouse (artist) The Third Circle (album)
Break 2 Music: Kaaka-ggua Cauyalriitqa (song) Pamyua (artist) Mengluni (The Beginning) (album)
This is great!
Big grants need to think of smaller tribes and their need.