This morning the Alaska Federation of Natives passed a resolution calling for the creation of an Alaska Native Languages Commission.
The text of the resolution, provided by Tim Argetsinger, reads as follows:
TITLE: A Resolution Concerning Establishment of an Alaska Native Languages Commission by the Alaska Federation of Natives
Whereas, Alaska Native languages are inherently valuable and constitute vital sources of identity for Alaska Native peoples, reinforcing the cultural, geographic, and ethnic ties that make us unique; and
Whereas, Maintaining and nurturing our cultural identities in meaningful ways is paramount to the future survival of Alaska Native peoples as distinct societies within Alaska and the United States; and
Whereas, All Alaska Native languages are endangered or severely endangered and the tragic loss of Eyak in 2008 underscores the vulnerability of Alaska Native languages; and
Whereas, The continued erosion or disappearance of cultural identities has social and political implications for Alaska Native peoples; and
Whereas, Language revitalization is a social justice issue involving processes of psychological and spiritual healing, as well as processes of language re-acquisition, reclamation, and transmission; and
Whereas, Sustained statewide political advocacy, research and corpus on behalf of Alaska Native language revitalization efforts, financial resources, and greater cooperation between Alaska Native language stakeholders is urgently needed to initiate or maintain language revitalization initiatives in Alaska Native communities.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by delegates to the 2010 Elders and Youth Conference that we, as Alaska Native elders and youth, request that the Alaska Federation of Natives establish an Alaska Native Languages Commission in order to: politically advocate on behalf of Alaska Native languages, facilitate and promote greater cooperation between Alaska Native language stakeholders, conduct and share research and corpus concerning Alaska Native and· other indigenous languages, and to research the availability of and potentially provide financial resources for Alaska Native language revitalization efforts.