HHS Tab for ‘Preservation and Maintenance’ of Native American Languages for 2011: $13,242,720

[Geee]

CNSnews:

(CNSNews.com) – The federal government’s latest tab for the “preservation and maintenance” of Native American languages is $13,242,720 for 2011, according to the agency’s online database and confirmed by Kenneth Wolfe, deputy director of public affairs for the program.

 

According to laws passed by Congress, Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Family through the Administration for Native Americans awards grants to Native American groups around the country. Those groups eligible for the grant funding include American Indians, Native Americans.

“ANA believes language revitalization and continuation are two of the first steps taken in preserving and strengthening a community’s culture,” the ANA explanation states on its web site. “Use of native language builds identity and encourages communities to move toward social unity and self-sufficiency.”

The laws – the 1990 Native American Languages Act and the 2006 Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act – are necessary because of “federal policies.”

“Recognizing that the history of federal policies toward Indian and other Native American people has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of Native American languages that have survived over the past 500 years, Congress enacted the Native American Languages Act.

[Geee]

I think they ought to put Elizabeth Warren in charge of this program

[clearvision]

I think they ought to put Elizabeth Warren in charge of this program

Good one!

[pollyannaish]

From what I'm seeing the current Native American language is green and is spoken in large buildings full of one-armed bandits.

 

Which suggests to me they should have enough to preserve any other languages they wish to preserve.

[Chickadee]

You all should see the huge new gorgeous tribal school about 15 miles from us. There is the "biggest and best in the Northwest" casino on reservation land just down the road from the school. And this tribe has also built and is using an ampi-theater where BIG name talent performs in the summer months. Actually, this makes us happy because the alcoholism problems of this local tribe have almost gone away. And not only have the built this wonderful new school and ampi-theater with the funds from the casino, they also have a senior center, library and large medical clinic. There are plans for a large hotel, too. So my question is, why exactly do they need MY tax dollars to help them with preserving their native language? Their cup already runneth over . . .