Post by Okwes on Jul 24, 2007 9:56:05 GMT -5
Grants aim to help preserve native languages
By KIM SKORNOGOSKI
Tribune Staff Writer
Only a handful of people still speak the Mandan language, which was
critical to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial is offering
grants to fund tribal language educational programs in the community and
schools with the hopes of preserving Mandan and other native languages.
"American Indian languages are libraries of
ancient knowledge," said Darrell Kipp, founder of the Piegan Institute
in Browning, which has a mission of researching, promoting and
preserving language. "When a language dies, that wisdom is lost
forever."
Scholars estimate that 90 percent of the world's languages are spoken by
10 percent of the population. Many Indian ancestral languages have
already been lost and the majority that remain are not being taught to
children.
"There are currently 6,000 languages spoken in the world, and at least
half are projected to disappear in this century," said Douglas Whalen,
founder and president of the Endangered Language Fund.
Proceeds from sales of a Lewis and Clark commemorative coin and a
handmade Indian pouch set bankroll the $1.6 million Endangered Language
Fund.
Using interest off that money, the foundation is offering $2,500 to
$25,000 grants, starting later this year.
Kipp is one of three people on the inaugural advisory committee, which
will guide how grants are allocated and help execute language programs.
"The Native Voices Endowment gives us a chance to make a difference far
beyond the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial," said Robert Archibald,
president of the national bicentennial council and the Missouri
Historical Society.
By KIM SKORNOGOSKI
Tribune Staff Writer
Only a handful of people still speak the Mandan language, which was
critical to the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial is offering
grants to fund tribal language educational programs in the community and
schools with the hopes of preserving Mandan and other native languages.
"American Indian languages are libraries of
ancient knowledge," said Darrell Kipp, founder of the Piegan Institute
in Browning, which has a mission of researching, promoting and
preserving language. "When a language dies, that wisdom is lost
forever."
Scholars estimate that 90 percent of the world's languages are spoken by
10 percent of the population. Many Indian ancestral languages have
already been lost and the majority that remain are not being taught to
children.
"There are currently 6,000 languages spoken in the world, and at least
half are projected to disappear in this century," said Douglas Whalen,
founder and president of the Endangered Language Fund.
Proceeds from sales of a Lewis and Clark commemorative coin and a
handmade Indian pouch set bankroll the $1.6 million Endangered Language
Fund.
Using interest off that money, the foundation is offering $2,500 to
$25,000 grants, starting later this year.
Kipp is one of three people on the inaugural advisory committee, which
will guide how grants are allocated and help execute language programs.
"The Native Voices Endowment gives us a chance to make a difference far
beyond the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial," said Robert Archibald,
president of the national bicentennial council and the Missouri
Historical Society.