After taking a Native American Literature course during my undergrad years, I have had an interest in that culture.  Not only do I think that we as Americans all too often forget that there are those who were here long before us, a culture that, despite the best attempts of the American government and society, have survived.  As we entered the new millennium, many Native American tribes set out to save and revive their culture and language.  The problems they face in trying to do this come from generations of persecution and genocide that has resulted in a declining and scarred population that has been forced to leave tradition and language behind. 

This article in the New York Times, Its Native Tongue Facing Extinction, Arapaho Tribe Teaches the Young, describes one of the ways that a tribe is trying to resurrect itself.  Using a whole immersion method, students will be taught a state curriculum in thier tribal language.  Tribal leaders hope that this will be one step in helping the young gain pride in their culture.  “Language-immersion schools offer an environment that goes beyond teaching the language…It provides a safe place where a child’s roots are nurtured, its culture honored, and its being valued.”

There are very few who still speak the language, and other attempts to teach the language have shown only some success.  Because of this, leaders and educators have chosen to start with 22 pre-kidnergarten through first grade students – those who will be around to ensure the continuity of the language.  “If we lose that language, we lose who we are.”