Strategies of Language Revitalization in Alignment with Native Pedagogical Forms: Examples from Ahtna Alaska
Strategies of Language Revitalization in Alignment with Native Pedagogical Forms: Examples from Ahtna Alaska Greg Holt Swarthmore College 2004 Language and the sacred are indivisible. The earth and all its appearances and expressions exist in names and stories and prayers and spells. -N. Scott Momaday (1995) "Sacred Places" in Aboriginal Voices 2 (1):29 0.0 Introduction Michael Krauss, director ofthe Alaska Native Languages Center (ANLC) for thirty years, has compiled data to predict that 90% of the world's 6,000- 7,000 languages will be moribund or dead in next 100 years (Krauss, 1992; 7).* This erosion of global cultural diversity is occurring through the spread of closed or restricted political, economic, and religious institutions which reward homogenization and subtractive cultural assimilation. l This model of integration does not allow for the full participation of multiple cultures in one society but rather requires the complete eradication of non- majority cultures. Using language shift as a measure, it is clear that current rates of cultural assimilation far outstrip any seen before in human history. In Alaska, groups and individuals are working against this trend, but until recently programs have been few. In the bilingual education programs that do exist, English speaking Native Alaskan children often learn kinship terms, color names, and seasonal • First I would like to thank all the people in Alaska who welcomed me and helped me develop these ideas, especially Siri Tuttle. Also, I thank my professors and readers at Swarthmore College for all they've taught me, David Harrison and Ted Fernald. Finally, for all their support, encouragement, and years of debating such topics, Timothy Colman, Steve Holt, Elena Cuffari, Milena Velis, Wolfgang Rougle, and Elizabeth Koerber for the computer during desperate times.
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