In an effort to preserve the Ute language, some 75 members of the Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute and Northern Ute tribes attended the first “Let us all wake up and speak Ute” linguistics conference last week in Ignacio, Colo.
Of the 567 recognized Native American tribes today, only about 20 are expected to have fluent Ute speakers in 2050, and all who attended agreed that their native tongue was in danger of extinction.
“It’s important that we revitalize the Ute language,” said conference moderator Arlene Millich. “If our language dies, then our souls die.”
Millich pointed out that an early indicator of linguistic extinction was already evident, adding that if Ute officials were forced to be fluent before taking office – as required on the Navajo reservation – then the tribe would be left without governance.
More than one conference attendee was critical of tribal support for their language.
“I don’t think the tribal leaders care,” one woman said.
Southern Ute Chairman Clement Frost was the only tribal leader to attend the daylong conference on Friday, July 31, but he left immediately after offering welcoming remarks.
Millich added that tribal leaders had even refused to help fund the conference.
“Where are our own people?” she posed.
Looking ahead
To combat the problem, University of Arizona linguistics professor Stacey Oberly invited conference attendees to offer suggestions on how to protect and revitalize the Ute language. About a dozen ideas were presented, including an annual language conference, utilizing Ute names for buildings and streets, giving children a Ute name, collecting and preserving stories from elders and greater general awareness among tribal members.
“The best way to keep a language alive is to create new speakers,” said Oberly, suggesting that tribal members formulate language nests at the preschool level. “That’s the goal.”
Another suggestion was for all three Ute reservations to embrace their differences, especially their respective dialects. For example, the Ute Mountain Ute dialect is considered thicker than the choppier version associated with Southern Utes.
Despite those nuances, Ute Mountain Ute elder Terry Knight reminded those in attendance that they should unite in helping to ensure that the language survives, adding that dialects helped to identify tribal members based on their location and environment.
“We’re all one,” said Knight.
Southern Ute elder Linda Grove d’Wolf agreed.
“Our language is our identity,” said d’Wolf, estimating that only 30 of the 1,500 Southern Ute members were fluent today.
Traveling from Fort Duchesne, Utah, Northern Ute elder Jonas Grant said he feared the Ute language was in peril, adding that elders needed to ensure they taught the language to their grandchildren.
“Whenever the elders die, then the language could die,” said Grant.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
Language Q&A with Ernest House, Jr.
After a recent Ute language conference, The Cortez Journal asked Ernest House Jr., a Ute Mountain Ute member and executive director of Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, a number of questions related to the preservation of his tribal language.
QUESTION: Are you fluent in the Ute language?
ANSWER: No, I am not a fluent speaker, but I’m trying to learn.
QUESTION: Do you speak Ute at home? Why or why not?
ANSWER: I try to speak Ute at home to my kids or use specific words, names or phrases for them to recognize and remember.
QUESTION: What is your reaction to the language’s possible extinction?
ANSWER: I am not surprised about the possibility of extinction. It’s one of many issues our tribal leaders face today. Many indigenous languages are being lost, which has pushed tribal nations to reconsider how they re-engage and re-educate their communities, especially the younger generation on new ways to learn the language.
QUESTION: Why is preserving the language important and/or necessary?
ANSWER: It’s very important, because in many ways, that is a big part of our way of life. Like many tribal nations, Ute stories, history and traditions are based off oral communication. When we lose that interpretation, we lose a piece of history and culture.
QUESTION: What if any funding and/or support does the state offer for Ute language instruction?
ANSWER: Unfortunately, the state doesn’t offer much regarding Ute language instruction today. We did introduce and successfully pass legislation (SB12-057 Indigenous Language Instruction) a few years ago at the request of the Ute Tribes. The bill created a teacher authorization for indigenous language instruction and allows school district boards to grant general credit to a student after successful completion of indigenous language course work.
QUESTION: Should the Ute reservations follow the Navajo lead and require elected leaders to speak the language? Why or Why not?
ANSWER: I believe any determination about tribal language requirements are something that should be discussed and determined by the tribal members and their communities. As we saw with the recent Navajo Nation language requirement debate, our tribal laws often reflect a historical time frame. Those laws should be reviewed from time-to-time to see if they apply to our communities and people today, and through that discussion, additional ways and new initiatives can and should be discussed regarding language preservation.
QUESTION: In your opinion, what is the best way to preserve the Ute language?
ANSWER: I believe we need to reach out to our communities, especially our young people, to let us know how best to move forward. Many tribes have explored new ways of language preservation, and coordinating gatherings and conferences like the one recently held are great ways to engage discussion, continue the conversation and raise awareness.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
