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NORMAN, Oklahoma - A variety of informational and demonstration activities covering tribal language development will be offered during the Sixth Annual American Indian Symposium, "Building and Sharing Native Languages," slated for Wednesday, April 2, at the University of Oklahoma.

The event, which is sponsored by the Native American Studies Program, a unit of the OU College of Arts and Sciences, is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. in Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave. During the symposium, federal, state, tribal and community professionals and exhibitors will address such issues as Native language and technology, tribal government language management, and Native language issues and concerns.

"Many of our Native people enjoy coming to OU to examine and discuss Native issues from a Native perspective," said Jerry C. Bread, outreach coordinator of the Native American Studies Program. "The symposium has become a 'tradition' for many of our grass root people. This year's theme of Native languages will make this symposium one of the most interesting, considering that language is a hot topic among tribal entities today. We look forward to a rich and rewarding experience."

Co-hosts for the symposium include the Intertribal Wordpath Society Inc. (IWP), Oklahoma Native Language Association (OKNLA) and the Native Language Program under the Department of Anthropology at OU.

Cost is $100, which includes all materials and a ticket to the Native Language Award Luncheon honoring Native organizations and their work with Native language development. To register, call 405-325-2312.