It's An IMMERSIONCY! The Urgent Need For Conversation Now!

This year, we will ask hard questions about where we stand on our language revitalization efforts. Do you ever think about the day when your language may no longer exist on this planet? Are your programs working? Are new speakers being produced? Do you hear your language being used throughout the community?

Linguists who have analyzed trends and statistics state that Language is the most important social and cultural marker of identity. They also predict that languages become extinct if not used or spoken. We all have observed that trend.

What is inevitable is that we ARE running out of time. We must work effectively, cooperatively, diligently to achieve our goal of CREATING NEW SPEAKERS.

Dr. Joshua Fishman, prominent linguist, stated (2001), “A traditionally associated language is more than just a tool of communication for its culture...[It] is often viewed as a very specific gift, a marker of identity and a specific responsibility vis-à-vis future generations.”

We must reverse the trend of Native language decline. If we are to stop the language shift towards monolingual, English speaking in our communities, we must do it NOW. We must do it TOGETHER

PRESENTERS/TOPICS

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

A. DENNIS BANKS, (Ojibwa), Co-Founder of American Indian Movement (AIM)

TITLE: Extermination to Revitalization: A Witness’s Journey of a Language Effort that has Come Full Circle

SYNPOSIS: Born into an ugly time of this country’s history when native children were taken from their homes, forced into boarding schools where corporal punishment was used to “kill the Indian and save the man,” Dennis Banks, a member of the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwa Nation, had only spoken Ojibwa his entire young 4-year life when he arrived at the government-run school and was permitted to only speak English, a language he did not know. Today seventy-five years later, he has witnessed five grandchildren enroll into language immersion programs, three of them are currently enrolled at the Lakota Immersion Childcare in South Dakota. A witness to the full cycle of Indian extermination to language and cultural revitalization, Dennis is a staunch advocate of the indigenous language movement.

B. DOROTHY LAZORE, (Mohawk), Founder of Mohawk Language Immersion Program Kanawake

BIO: Dorothy Ann Lazore – Mohawk name Órote Karihwénhawe – belongs to the Deer clan and was born and raised on the Ahkwesáahshne territory on the Quebec side of the Mohawk reservation. She completed a University Degree in Montreal and Chicoutimi in Quebec, a Degree in Education and Linguistic Certificate through the University of Chicoutimi. Throughout the 44 years in education, Dorothy worked with all ages, from nursery to high school, to University, and adult education. Within the Universities, she assisted in establishing certificate programs for teaching native language immersion programs. Since 1971, she established Language Immersion programs within Mohawk communities. Today, she teaches in an adult immersion cultural restoration program through cultural practices – basket making, trapping, hunting, fishing, medicines and horticulture.  

TITLE: Our Languages are in Emergency State

SYNOPSIS: This presentation will focus on the history of our native languages - what has happened to our native languages over the years, between 1952-1972, 1972-1995, and 1995-2016.  What has evolved within the education system since 1972?  Finally, what is happening to our language today, in 2016?  What needs to happen, in order to redeem it or revive it from its Emergency state.

PRESENTERS

We will continue to update this list as the presenters send us their titles of the presentations.

1) CHRIS HARVEY, Languagegeek.com, University of Toronto

BIO: Chris Harvey has spent over 20 years working on minority and indigenous language revitalization. He has contributed to the field of native languages and technology with his website Languagegeek.com and as the developer of ILI’s technical workshop series. Chris has also worked as a linguist with languages such as Cymraeg, Gaeilge, Kanien’kéha, Innu Aimun, and Mahekanewexsowãkan, focusing on revitalization and language rebuilding. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto in Canada.
TITLE: Coming Back from the Edge: Bucking the Trend to Endangerment
SYNOPSIS: Indigenous languages the world over have followed a similar downward trend in their viability. From healthy-speaking communities, to passive speakers and rememberers, to a handful of elders who still recall the native language, to silence; the slide can happen very quickly — perhaps within three generations. What can we learn from this pattern? Where do specific languages occur on this scale? Knowing that if no immediate action is taken the health of the language will pass the tipping point, what can we do to fight back and reverse the downward slide?

2) Kaihuhatati (GERALD HILL), (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin)

BIO: Kaihuhatati (Gerald L. Hill) is Bear Clan from Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. He is currently the Chief Judge Court of Appeals of the Oneida Judiciary. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropological linguistics from California State University Northridge and a law degree from the University of California Davis. He previously served as Special Counsel to the Council of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. He is a 2nd language speaker of Oneida and is committed to acquiring and perpetuating the Oneida language. He served as ILI’s Board President, from 2001 to early 2004, and was unanimously reelected to that position in Fall 2004, a position he fills to this date.

TITLE: The Importance of Conversation

SYNOPSIS: Our theme this year is to promote conversation in our heritage languages. ILI wants to convey the dire straits into which we are all headed - extinction of our languages. The intent is not to discourage but that we, as communities, must face the truth about the state of our languages. ILI has proclaimed the increasing urgency of language retention and revitalization in Native communities.
This is to provide a background of various linguistic terms and phrases you’ll hear used by some of the presenters, including general acquisition concepts, and finally, discussion about how and why we acquire language in the first place.

3) DR. RICHARD EARL LITTLEBEAR, (Northern Cheyenne Nation), President of Chief Dull Knife College

BIO: Dr. Littlebear, born in Lame Deer, MT on the N. Cheyenne Reservation (NCR), attended boarding school in Busby Mt; graduated Lind (WA) High School, earned a BA; served in and was honorably discharged from the US Army; earned an M. Ed; and an Ed. D. He worked on the NCR in education; studied linguistics at the U. of New Mexico; worked for multicultural resource centers in the NW and Alaska, returned to the NCR in 1996. He is the President and Dean of Cultural Affairs at Chief Dull Knife College. He has written about and received the Governor’s Humanities Award for his work in indigenous languages. Cheyenne is his first language which he reads, writes and teaches. These are his greatest academic achievements.

TITLE: Immersion Methods Lead to Conversational Language, the Highest Language Skill for All People

SYNOPSIS: This presentation will use immersion methods to demonstrate language acquisition.  An actual class will be conducted using the time allowed for the presentation.  The Natural Approach and Total Physical Response approach to second language acquisition will be used.

4) FINLAY MACLEOID, Moray Language Centre, Scotland

TITLE: Total Immersion Plus: Language Acquisition Made Easier

SYNOPSIS: Total Immersion Plus (TIP) methodologies enable adults to reach
a Gaelic fluency; the underlying rhythm of TIP is superfast, very much hands on, action and activity; lots of fun, user-friendly and culturally focussed. Once a Gaelic conversational fluency has been reached most adults are able to talk to their children using the Gaelic language of affection; converse with their partners using intimate Gaelic; use Gaelic social language with family members, friends and in a wider community context. TIP is unique inasmuch as initially there is no reading, writing and grammar for a learner to contend with; such learning comes well after an adult has acquired the desired fluency; we learn to speak before we read or write.

5) CHRISTINE DIINDIISI MCCLEAVE, (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), Executive Director, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition

BIO: Ms. McCleave's previous roles include Operations Manager at an HR consulting firm and Communications and Marketing Officer at Indian Land Tenure Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications and her Masters in Leadership thesis is on the spectrum of spiritual practices regarding traditional Native American spirituality and Christianity and the impact of the Boarding Schools on spiritual activities today. Her grandfather attended Marty Catholic Indian Boarding School in SD and Haskell Indian Boarding School in Kansas. Her great grandfather attended Carlisle Indian School from 1910-1915 and played football with Jim Thorpe.
TITLE: Boarding Schools, Inter-Generational Trauma, and How We're Healing Today

SYNOPSIS: The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) mission is to work to ensure a meaningful and appropriate response from responsible agencies for those Native American individuals, families, and communities victimized by the United States’ federal policy of forced boarding school attendance and to secure redress from responsible institutions in order to support lasting and true community-directed healing. Our presentation will share facts and research on Boarding School history, experiences, and trauma as well as on the work of the Healing Coalition. We will then create a community dialogue with participants about what tribal communities are already doing to address the trauma, and how to support healing for Indian Country. 

6) TACHINI PETE, (Salish / Diné), Program Director, Potlatch Fund
BIO: Tachini Pete was raised in both the Flathead Reservation and Navajo Reservation with strong cultural values in the Salish and Navajo traditions. His mother is Salish and his father Navajo. He is the father of four children and has been an avid learner and teacher of the Salish language since 1994. Tachini is a learner by nature. He has earned Certificate’s of Completion in Automotive Technology from Wyoming Technical Institute and Salish Cultural Leadership from Salish Kootenai College (SKC); Associate’s degrees in Native American Studies and Bilingual Education from SKC. In 2001 he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana Western and in 2010 he graduated from Gonzaga University with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
TITLE: Language Transfer Systemized

SYNOPSIS: Language revitalization happens when successive generations of parents speak to their children in the target language. How do we reach this point? Why are our efforts not producing results? How much time do we realistically have? What are our current capacities? These questions must be asked and explored to gain an understanding of where your community is at and where you want it to go. The vision of language revitalization can be achieved through systems change and reorganization, or reprioritization of resources in a way that focuses on processes that are effective and efficient. This presentation will give an overview of the Language Transfer System program.

7) JEANE QUINTANA, (Pueblo of Cochiti), Cochiti Language Nest

BIO: Jeane Quintana, Indian name is Shrees, which means Blue Jay, of the Eagle Clan. Her paternal Grandparents of Cochiti Pueblo raised her; She also spent time with my maternal Grandmother in Santa Ana Pueblo. She learned two different Keres dialects growing up. She is married to Andy (Cochiti) for 43 years, raised eight children, has 25 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. She has been a Keres Language Teacher at Cochiti for 18 years, a Language Nest teacher/coordinator for 16 years. She received training from Rebecca Martinez and Christine Sims of UNM. Cochiti Tribal Council coordinated all consultants that helped with training. The Maori of New Zealand (who initiated the “nest” program) and the Hawaiians (who teach in total immersion settings) came to Cochiti Pueblo with their ideas that took hold in the village. La Cosecha Organization and Indigenous Language Institute conferences helped them with their efforts. Her love for children is her greatest asset and the driving force is teaching her heritage language and tradition.

TITLE: The Language Teacher In All Of Us

SYNOPSIS: She will present on how she grew up totally in the Keres language and how her family and community shifted to using English. With the introduction of the “language nest” for babies and little children, they were able to make “old” real again, by keeping Keres language strong within the families. She will give examples of how they teach Keres at the Language Nest and share experiences of how USING their language, however little they may know it, is the most effective way to keep our languages alive.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

No more scholarships available at this time.

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

Your Sponsorship helps the Indigenous Language Institute share critical information with Native language workers who are striving to keep our heritage languages vibrant. Reclaiming and strengthening Native languages builds strong sense of self, confidence and competence in our Native children and youth. Be a Sponsor for ILI Symposium 2016! Click here to download the PDF Sponsorship Form and for more information about sponsorship benefits.

Thank you to the following sponsors of ILIS 2016:

LANNAN FOUNDATION

SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS

PUEBLO OF POJOAQUE

VIRGINIA DARE WINERY (THE FAMILY COPPOLA)

SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY

IN KIND DONATIONS

TRADER JOE SANTA FE

VENDOR INFORMATION

We are accepting applicants for native vendors (no food). You can purchase tables for the 3 or 5 days. Vendor table will be set up in the main hallway. Vendor table will have table cloths and two chairs. For more information / registration form click here.

BANQUET INFORMATION

Your registration fee includes one ticket to the banquet held on Monday, October 24, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Extra tickets can be purchased at the registration desk for $50/each. We will have Comedian Drew Lacapa as the entertainment during the banquet.

SYMPOSIUM HOTEL

The symposium will be held at the Buffalo Thunder Resort which is located at 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail, (Pueblo of Pojoaque) Santa Fe, New Mexico 87506, (505) 455-5555 or 1 (877) 848-6337. Buffalo Thunder Resort is located 80 miles North of the Albuquerque Sunport International Airport.The hotel does not have airport shuttle. So you will need to rent a car or take an airport shuttle service.

Rooms in ILI's room block are sold out. The hotel will have other rooms available at their regular rate. If you are a Hilton HHonors Member you could receive a small discount on the hotel room as well as free Wifi in your hotel room.

SHUTTLE / CAB INFORMATION FOR THE SANTA FE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (SAF)

The Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF) is located on the South side of Santa Fe and approximately 40 minutes away from Buffalo Thunder Resort. American and United Airlines have limited service to this airport. Here are some car rentals and shuttle service located at this airport.

Roadrunner Shuttle Service (505) 424-3367 or www.roadrunnershuttleandcharter.com

Avis Car Rental 1­800-331-1212

Hertz Car Rental 1­800­654­313

OTHER SHUTTLE / CAB INFORMATION / CAR RENTAL FROM

THE ALBUQUERQUE SUNPORT AIRPORT (ABQ)

The Albuquerque Sunport Airport (ABQ) is located approximately 80 miles (1 hour 20 minutes) SOUTH of Buffalo Thunder Resort. Here are some cab companies, car rentals and shuttles that are located at this airport.

Roadrunner Shuttle Service is the only airport shuttle that will take you directly to Buffalo Thunder Resort for a higher fee (505) 424-3367 or www.roadrunnershuttleandcharter.com

Sunport Shuttle (505) 883-4966 or www.sunportshuttle.com

Albuquerque Cab Company (505) 883-4888

Yellow Cab Company (505) 247-8888 or (505) 243-7777 they have a "FLAT FEE" (approx $130 plus tip) to Buffalo Thunder Resort from the Albuquerque Airport. Call and ask for Ernesto Gutierrez (driver) if he's available.

Here are some car rental places located at the Albuquerque Sunport Airport:

Advantage  Rent  A  Car  1-800-777­5500

Alamo  Rent  A  Car  1-800-462-5266

Avis  Auto  Rental  1­800-331-1212

Budget  Rent  A  Car  1-800-527­0700  

Dollar  Rent  A  Car  1-800­800-4000  

Enterprise  Rent  A  Car  1­800-736­8222

Hertz  1­800­654­313

National  Rent  A  Car  1-800-227-7368

Thrifty  Car  Rental  1-800­847-4389