UCR's comprehensive approach to American Indian language and cultural renewal comprises vigorous documentation of languages and cultures themselves, innovative forms of language instruction and learning by tribal members, the systematic training of language teachers in effective methods and pedagogies, the republication of key texts, the recovery of knowledge regarding places and the landscape, and the innovative use of technology to support all of these efforts. This major initiative was begun in 2002, and we are actively seeking support for the following projects related to endangered American Indian Languages and Cultures, with an initial focus on the Takic Family of Languages and Cultures, those dominant in the immediate area of UCR.
A well coordinated group of tribal cultural officers, tribal members and faculty and graduate students from the University of California, Riverside and the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies at the Free University of Berlin team will soon begin documenting, researching, and recording Takic languages in a comprehensive and timely way. Tribal cultural officers and councils will oversee this work, determining priorities and protocols. Whenever appropriate or desired, elders will be paid to participate and tribal members will do the direct work of conducting oral histories and interviews. This collaboration will allow us to create a rich variety of texts from different speech settings. Documentation is an essential foundation for revitalization.
A five-year partnership project with the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians to revitalize the Luiseño language, this project, initiated in 2002, has successfully begun to teach children their severely endangered ancestral language, something that has not occurred for two generations. This program, featured in the national media and profiled at the National Congress of American Indians, provides a strong model for language revitalization work. A systematic retreat in June 2003 examined the partnership carefully, strengthening trust, accountability, and communication. Learn more about the project.
Delivered through UCR Extension, this project is creating a model that will bring to tribal members knowledge of best teaching/learning practices to help them revitalize their endangered languages. This project focuses on providing educational support, teacher training, second language expertise, and workshops for any tribes working on related issues. Already several area tribes, including the Tule River and Bishop Paiute, have benefited from this work. A major workshop conference will be held in fall 2003. Learn more about the workshop held in May 2003 . |
