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A resolution is approaching a vote in the state legislature, which can help protect Indian languages, and will put the state on record as supporting their survival. The resolution (with the working title of Oklahoma Indian Language Heritage Protection Act) was developed at the Intertribal Wordpath Society, a nonprofit organization promoting the teaching, awareness, use, and status of Oklahoma Indian languages. We first introduced it last year, but it never made it to a vote. This year we have the firm support of Senators Ted Fisher and Cal Hobson, and Representatives Opio Toure, Kenneth Corn, and Bill Nations. It will be introduced soon, probably next week, beginning in the Senate. We have requested it be brought to a vote on Wednesday, May 16, but there is no guarantee of a specific date, since we are in the last 3 weeks of the legislative session. (Note: the Senate and the House may vote on different days.). PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR IMMEDIATELY. Contact information: http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/

I've attached a copy of the resolution in WordPad format. Please have a look at it. To my knowledge, no other state has passed anything like this. It will be a good statement for our government to make; and it may help, when it comes to getting languages taught in the schools, and in many other ways.

LeRoy Sealy and I visited the sponsors at the Capitol Wednesday. We feel this has a good chance of passing. But we're asking all of you to phone, e-mail, and/or visit your Representatives and Senators, ASAP. We're told they will not get copies of the measure in advance (except the few we have already visited). The clerk will read the resolution aloud, and it will probably be voted on by acclamation. Please contact your legislators Monday!! Explain why the measure is important to you, educate them, and prepare them to vote affirmatively. The process is important: even those who may choose to vote against (if any) need to know that support for Indian languages is deep and wide. Ask them to notify you of the date of the vote as soon as it is definite. Remember: lots of phone calls may help ensure that this measure actually gets onto the agenda before the session ends.

Please forward this letter and the resolution to all your friends, relevant lists, organizations, etc., all over Oklahoma. Please forward to tribes you have e-mail addresses for (we don't have everyone's). And don't forget those who don't have e-mail. Print out the resolution and post it where others can see it, asking them to contact their legislators also. Indians, non-Indians--everybody.

One more thing. We had thought of arranging a rally on the Capitol steps; but the final stages of the process are happening so fast, we're not sure there's time, or that it's the best use of our time at this point. What do you think? If there is interest out there, especially from tribal governments or other organizations that have the time and staff power to do some VERY quick networking, and bring busloads of supporters to the Capitol (say, on Tuesday?), please contact me, and let's coordinate our efforts. The publicity would be good for our cause, and a good turnout could influence votes. The last I heard, there is no charge for the Capitol steps, but you have to reserve them; and I don't know the availability next week.

Finally, if at all possible, come to the Capitol for the votes. Let's fill the galleries. Take off work! This will be a historic moment to witness. And, if votes are not recorded individually, we need many eyes to notice who votes for, and who against. When I hear any further news about the likely scheduling of the vote, I'll pass it on (could be anytime from this Monday to May 25, the session's end).

Thank you for your time and your help. Next month we can look back on our efforts with pride.

Sincerely,

Alice Anderton, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Intertribal Wordpath Society
1506 Barkley St.
Norman, OK 73071
Phone: 405-447-6103
E-mail: Towordpath@aol.com
URL: http://www.ahalenia.com/iws

OKLAHOMA INDIAN LANGUAGE HERITAGE PROTECTION ACT (draft) Senate Concurrent Resolution, By Ted Fisher, Cal Hobson (Senate); Opio Toure, Kenneth Corn, Bill Nations (House)

AS INTRODUCED

A Concurrent Resolution endorsing the Native American Language Act of 1990; encouraging the teaching and learning of Native American languages; opposing artificial barriers to teaching and learning Native American languages; urging measures to foster respect for Native American languages; and directing distribution.

        WHEREAS, the Native American Language Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-477) enunciates the policy of the United States government to "preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use, practice, and develop Native American languages"; and

        WHEREAS, the state of Oklahoma is home to 39 tribes, members of which still speak 25 Native American languages. Until recently, Oklahoma had more Native American citizens than any other state. Their histories, cultures and languages together comprise a unique heritage that helps make our state great; and

        WHEREAS, Native American languages are crucial to the identity, self-esteem, and success of young Native Americans. Many Oklahoma heroes have spoken Native American languages, and many Oklahoma youth would like to have the connection of a shared language with these heroes; and

        WHEREAS, Native American history, culture, and language are so interrelated that when a language dies, it takes with it literature, oral history, song, and other important aspects of Native American cultural heritage. The pressures of modern American culture as expressed in television, radio, education, and public life have steadily decreased the attention paid to Indian languages by some Oklahomans; and

        WHEREAS, our state values its great diversity of culture, as evidenced by our slogan "Oklahoma - Native America". Native American languages are just as sophisticated and just as enriching to the lives of their speakers as are other languages; and

        WHEREAS, linguistic and pedagogical study have demonstrated that the cherishing of a people's language of heritage in no way threatens the status of the common language of most Oklahomans and of public discourse in Oklahoma; and

        WHEREAS, one-third of all Oklahoma Native American languages have already become extinct in our state, and the remaining ones are endangered; and

        WHEREAS, the state of Oklahoma takes pride in the history and culture of Native American people as expressed in their traditional languages and considers those languages a treasured part of the heritage of our state and of the individual tribes of our state; and

        WHEREAS, the state of Oklahoma seeks to preserve, protect, and promote our Native American language heritage.

        NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 48TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:

        THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature endorses and supports the policy of the United States government enunciated in the Native American Language Act of 1990 to "preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use, practice and develop Native American languages".

        THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature encourages the teaching and learning of Native American languages at all levels of instruction.

        THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature opposes artificial barriers to the instruction or learning of Native American languages and encourages all education authorities to take all appropriate steps to promote and encourage the instruction and learning of Native American languages.

        THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature urges the Superintendent of Public Instruction to take appropriate measures to foster respect for Native American languages and to vigilantly address any situations that may occur where proper respect for Native American languages is not provided.

        THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Executive Director of the Intertribal Wordpath Society.