New Native Language App Starts Small, WIth Animal Names in Four Tongues

By Leeanne Root: April 23, 2012

This app is currently available in the iTunes store. It is based around 4 different languages: Diné, Lakota, Mvskoke and Ponca. There are up to 14 different animals in each language where it shows how to say the animal in English and the language desired. There is even a way to hear the word in the Native language, to make sure you are saying it correctly. The app has great potential to be an amazing thing to help children learn their Native language in this rapidly fast growing technology market. Apparently the app is meant to target younger children because of the attachment to animals, but it has been met with some resentment by people who have bought it.

“14 animals and that’s your app? Come on, do these languages some justice.”

The app is said that it needs room for improvement and that this was just a starting point. I understand how this can be a starting point, but I think I would have developed it more before sending it out into a raging public. I check the app on iTunes and it has some terrible rating and some horrible comments about the app in general. The Lakota is apparently extremely messed up and everyone is saying that the words are incorrect for the pictures. I guess that is what happens when you put out an app and people are able to comment on it anonymously. They are beyond evil with what they say. The woman that helped create the app learned Lakota from her great grandfather and grandmother, but apparently she didn't learn it correctly or her grandparents taught her a different way of speaking. Even with all the problems that this app has been having I understand why it was put out in the first place. It is a way to save a culture and a language, especially with how fast technology is evolving. It can reach a larger number of people in a shorter time period and help people reconnect with their culture. I like where this idea is going and it has helped some people, maybe? I would like to track the app and see how is ends up at the end...or even if it reaches it's full potential. I don't know if I would spend the 2 dollars on it right now.

Why Should We Keep Tribal Languages Alive?

By Sonny Skyhawk: April 6, 2012

"I canʼt stress enough the importance of retaining our tribal languages, when it comes to the core relevance or existence of our people. Our languages can teach us many things through daily use. Language can teach us respect, for ourselves and each other, our elders, women and most importantly, the things that allowed us to exist."

I don't think that anyone realizes how bad the loss of languages is becoming, not just tribal languages but other Native languages. It is said that 6,000 languages are at risk of "dying" out. That is a terribly high number of languages from all over the world. I understand that it might not seem that important to some, but language is a way of communication and a way of life for most people. What would it be like if English didn't exist anymore, that you were the last native speaker? How terrible would that be? To loose your culture and ability to connect with the outside world. This doesn't seem fair. It is especially bad with Native populations as a whole. Who is going to teach the children? I think this needs to be addressed or help or at least put into the spot light! Where are the celebs now?! I hope that something can be done in the future to help this.

University Recognizes Native Students With Awareness Week and Powwow

Dancers at the 2011 American Indian Awareness Week powwow at Black Hills State University in Rapid City, South Dakota.
By ICTMN Staff: April 10, 2012

Black Hills State University in South Dakota is hosting a Powwow in honor of the large population of Native American students that tend the college. This will be the 29th annual powwow to be hosted here, lasting for three days (April 13th - April 15th). There is going to be traditional dancing and this event is open for all of the public. This would be a great place for people to learn about the Native Americans and for Native people to have pride in who they are. There has been a lot of struggles with Native people not wanting to be Native and hating who they are. This is a great chance to change that opinion, to help Native people embrace who they are without the fear and hatred. I think more colleges should do this, to help out the people that have been beaten down to believe that they aren't as important or that their hertiage is terrible. I know that Michigan State hosted a powwow. I didn't get to attend, but I heard that it was wonderful. :)

"Today starts the school’s week-long focus on Native culture which will feature speakers, a hand drum and singing competition and a three-day powwow. American Indian Awareness Week is organized by the school’s Center for American Indian Studies and the student organization Lakota Omniciye."



Suicide Survivor Arnold Thomas to Kick Off Red Lake Youth Conference

Arnold Thomas (Shoshone-Paiute) is a suicide survivor.
By Michael Meuers: March 26, 2012

The thought of suicide has crossed most people's minds while they were growing up, whether it was in high school, adulthood, or because of life problems. There have been several cases in the news lately about young people in middle school or high school that have committed or attempted suicide. The actions of bullying or family issues that appear to have no end could possibly drive a younger individual to suicide, but this is why Arnold Thomas has decided to help out, to get involved in the Sixth Annual Red Lake Youth Leadership Conference, at Red Lake Humanities Center in Red Lake, Minnesota.

Thomas states what happened to him here...

"From Thomas’ biography: “One warm summer night soon after I turned 18, I stuck a hunting rifle under my chin and pulled the trigger. The gun shot wound severely damaged my face and left me completely blind. I was unable to speak for several years. With the steadfast support of my hometown community, my family and my friends along with my own renewed will to live, I survived this challenging period of my life and slowly began to put the shattered pieces back together.'"

Because of Thomas' great efforts to help the young of the nation and tribal members to understand that suicide is not the only option. That things do in fact, "get better" (as the youtube campaigne is trying to teach the younger generation and protect them from suicide). He has been at this service for 15 years. He has served as a member of the National Institute of Health’s C-SAT (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment) work group, and he has assisted in creating cultural sensitive materials for the Indian Health services’ Emergency Medical Services for Children in Washington D.C. Thomas also served as a spiritual advisor for Native American inmates incarcerated in the Utah State Correctional system. He has also recently started working with homeless Native Americans.

Thomas is truly an inspiration to everyone who has ever thought about or tried to commit suicide. There are other options that can help: talk to someone (anyone). His actions speak a hundred more times than his words ever could. He is a strong individual that is standing up against something that he once had to face. I understand that sometimes we think there is no way out and we think the best thing we can do...is check out. I don't understand this logic, no matter how horrible things are. No matter how terrible everything appears to be...there is always a tomorrow. There is always someone who wants to help, who wants to change your life. "Suicide is a way of telling God...you can't fire me, I quit." I don't think that it is time to quit. I think it is time to stand up.