"Why Save a Language" (2006)

[@napiseesmakespeace1885]

Sokapi nah sahkomapi Aitsi'poyi So beautiful to hear that young boy speak the Blackfoot language ❣️

[@mikelaranaetxarri2934]

Samething happend in Europe with Basque, Breton, Irish and many other languages. Be proud of your identity!

[@ElizabethSwan120]

I'm a Mexican-American from New Mexico and I just love the culture there is over here. I love all of our Native American Tribes. I actually heard on the news this morning that the Governor of New Mexico is going to sign a statement, declaring the second Monday of October what is known as Columbus Day and permanently change it to Indigenous Day, to celebrate and honor our 23 tribes of Native Americans here in New Mexico. Loved this video, thank you

[@fredo5188]

Can you imagine the countless languages and cultures that have been lost through the ages not just here in the American continent but also in the Asian continent, European continent, African continent…etc. It boggles my mind. And yet time goes on. It waits for nothing.

[@sfox2579]

What an excellent and informative documentary. The essence that is captured for me is that the language is the culture and is the identity of a person. The statement that losing the language is akin to burning down a giant library -- powerfully illustrates the depth and meaning that is steeped in a language - in even a single word. In context, the word travels from individual experience into the environmental and spiritual realm. The racist policies and residential school kidnappings erased the culture for those involved. Unimaginable damage. How fantastic for the younger generation to help restore the languages before the elders are lost and with them, these amazing original languages.

[@larrypreston7588]

I wish schools would offer teachings of these languages and history. It would make common sense to keep it alive.

[@scuukum]

I grew up in a small town nr Ventura Calif in the 50 s I am half english and half middle eastern by blood but ever since I was old enough to speak I always passionately identified with native american people although no one in my family encouraged this preoccupation . I was mistaken for indigenous people as well It feels like a deep soul connection. It was the only culture that meant anything to me in the usa . My only desire in life is to live close to nature. I love listening to indigenous people talking about their sacred languages and my heart goes with them.

[@ivoryrosewood1864]

You felt close to them because your blood line is the same as theirs. If you look at them you will notice that their eyes are Asian-Like. The ones who call themselves N.A. now came across the Bering Strait. They are Mongolians. Google how Mongolians live, what their homes and clothing look like. The truth is right in front of you. Don't believe everything you hear and what they tell you. Research. Today's N.A. are ancestors of Mongolians and the Dawes Roll ($5 Indians).

[@WheelerPro2000]

I’m trying to learn Cherokee because of distant grandmother surviving the Trail of tears in honor of her.

[@TeddeeJordan]

Lovely documentary. I'm Tsalagi (Cherokee) and Nansemond. Sadly, Nansemond and the other Virginia Algonquian (Powhatan) dialects are basically extinct. There are programs trying to revitalize them and the Patawomeck tribe does had a language program for enrolled members. I'd love to have access to some of the resources. I am learning Tsalagi Gawonihisdi (Cherokee Language) via the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma language program. It's a really excellent program. It's online twice a week live with an Elder and Cherokee National Treasure who spoke only Tsalagi until 3rd grade. He has a real love for making sure Tsalagi Gawonihisdi continues to grow with us. I'm hoping once I finish these to be able to take the immersion program, where everything is conducted only in Tsalagi and you have to do everything in Tsalagi. There is definitely so much culture in language. You will always have trouble hearing your ancestors if you can't hear it in their voices. Like with Tsalagi, it's a relational language. All of the words for friend have to be stated framed with whose friend one is. Oganalii is "my friend" and "sdalii" is your friend. Once cannot be a friend without a relationship with other people, and Tsalagi acknowledges this. In Tsalagi the word for tattoo is also framed this way, whose tattoo(s). It also shows the role of tattooing. In times before contact, after which it was heavily suppressed, tattoos were common and used to mark out medicine and important life events (battles, children, illnesses, ball games). The word for tattoo is daquadowela, which translates to "my name as it is written" because your tattoos were the unique story of your life written down on you. There's even old documents signed by drawing tattoos out on paper as a reflection of who you are. There is a Tsalagi concept called gadugi. It's often translated in English as "togetherness," but that's not really a translation because it means so much more. Jeff Corntassel explained it well as "no one is left alone to climb out of a life endeavor." These are the things to heal native communities, but it's difficult to grow these good cultural structures if you don't even have the language. Also, in Tsalagi, and many other native languages, there's no words for he/him or she/her. There are words for things like boy and girl, but I can't say "His name is" or "Her name is." Both are dudoa, which makes sense reflected in native cultures' accepting and even at times lifting attitudes toward people outside of the cisgender binary. One final note, in Tsalagi there's no words for goodbye. Instead one says donadagohvi (if speaking to one other person, again relational), which means, "Let you and I see each other again." ᏙᏓᏓᎪᎲᎢ ᏂᎦᏛ

[@traviskrause8509]

Every race should save their home language and keep their heritage alive and well its their root to their ancestors!!!

[@MatthewMcVeagh]

Made me cry, but also inspired me. I wish there was something I could do to help, thousands of miles away in another country.

[@mjskoko]

Thank you so much for posting this. I cited this video in a research project I did for a class and will be presenting my project at a student symposium. I needed to review some my sources and decided to see if this video was available online, and it is! And posted just this month! What good timing.

[@themontanaexperience]

Great to hear it helped out. We'll be posting a lot more Native American films over time.

[@KingKatura]

All our languages that we have left should be saved, The problem is most of the time its not being saved but rather a new one is made to replace mixed with Italia (Roman) languages & other europeon languages that completely creates a whole new language while the original dies & ends up devoid of meaning. So when saving our languages we need to keep it the same language & preserve even the things we know not the meaning, Because the meaning of all things are held within the storys, so what is forgotten can be remembered. Ayo Hawwah Great Spirit Bless.

[@keeelane]

Greetings from Finland. We have a similar situation here with the Karelian language which the Russian government has suppressed for a long time now...Karelians are a tribe close to the Finns but they have their own language which is now almost extinct. I'm thinking about studying it. A lot of this reminds me of languages we speak here...for example how many plants seem to have a name connected to a myth. The problem is we no longer remember what the story is but the name remains.

[@melam003]

You should study and record everything, dig deep in the old areas and elderly kinda like an archaeology project, then send it out for the world to learn. Less chance of extinction when more people know it and it can't be suppresses everywhere.

[@mktzi7678]

Yes true, but it is good to remember that this same suppression was done especially very heavy handedly to sami people by karelians, finns, swedes, norwegian and russians.. I hope you know that and don't see yourself only just as an victim. As a karelian/finn you have both experienced and also done this same thing to sami, so you are both victim and oppressor. It was almost illegal to be sami in finland until 1990s and in the past sami children were beaten in schools if they speaked sami language, similar to what happened in boarding schools to native american children. Finland and karelia was full of sami people and languages not that long ago before finnish/karelian farmers started to migrate towards north colonising whats now is finland and karelia and only the most northern sami groups are alive now and not in very good condition and very changet and europeanized, if compared to what sami was in past.. Also not only that, basicly all modern sami groups now are mix of sami and karelians/finns/russians/swedes/norvegians, so the sami ancestry and culture is fading away because the "full blooded" real sami sami have not really existed in long time. Sami culture and people have been changing to different people and new europeanized version of the culture because of oppression from finns, karelians, swedes, norvegians, russians. Vanha kommentti, mutta älä ota pahalla jos luet tän koska en tätä pahalla tarkoita. Hyvä vaan muistuttaa että ei kannata karjalaisena/suomalaisena ottaa liian uhrin asemaa jos on myös itse kansasta joka on tehnyt saman toiselle kansalle. Sen nyt jokainen suomen historiaa vähääkään tietävä tietää että suomi ja karjala oli periaatteessa kokonaan villi erämaa lappi ja melkein pelkästään saamelaisia etelästä pohjoiseen vielä hetki sitten. Ei siitä ole montaa sataa vuotta kun hämeenkin valta väestö oli saamelaisia. Suomalainen ja karjalainen on viron ja sen naapuri alueilta siirtynyt myöhemmin maata viljelemään suomeen ja karjalaan uudisasukkaana.

[@getbk_5452]

love this, it means more than you know.

[@tonifrischknecht7144]

I can speak 5 languages fluently but only one with heart and feeling

[@MZ-per-XY]

"Take away the language of the nation, and the nation has ceased to be what it was: it will fade away without a trace, it will melt into the sea of the nations that surround it. "from: hu

[@tranadams]

A very inspiring film! Thank you for sharing. I would love to know how everything is progressing as this film is almost 10 years old now. I wish you all the best!

[@Crazyweazelbear]

The same happen to my so called Hispanic people of Mexico and Central America and Caribbean islands ...... Now I supposed to speak Spanish and call myself Latino or Hispanic and believe that I'm a immigrant we're all brainwashed we are Native Americans too and I wish I had my real identity and language and continue were our way of life left off history is so shameful I get discussed what they did to my ancestor and only they can bring things back but they seem not to care or even show some kind of support .... And they still want the concentration camps they call reservation from the native people ....I wonder in the afterlife did they go to heaven ? ..... My only fear of death is to return to this reality.... This is truly hell on earth .... Did the creator punished us? Is he observing this nightmare we can't wake up to? Will our land ever cure itself from this disease that's only continuing to destroy? I love my people the creator never took us out our garden of Eden .... They stole it from us because it was striped from them for there evil deceitful ways

[@Bill-cv1xu]

Word

[@rahulmali9753]

Same thing is happening with ancient Indian languages in India . One of the oldest known language of world Sanskrit is on the verge of extinction.

[@BlackKettleRanch]

The language contains the knowledge, if it were honored, will save humanity.

[@nancyjohnson5193]

Need closed caption for the deaf and hard of hearing because we want to know what experience stories. From Big Sky Country..."Why Save a language" thank you....same thing need save American SignLanguage...

[@bobaldo2339]

Great video! So well put together! This is a very important subject. We see the world largely through language. Losing a language is like losing a unique window on the world. The more languages that are lost, the less we can know about the world. Languages are at least as important to save as the various species of animals and plants.

[@DBPCINC]

I think what's sad is that we've lost more languages, writings, or culture just from people dying from first contact.

[@virginiaeasterling4347]

I believe the rights to keep American Indians. Language should be kept in the United States Of. AMERICA.

[@kangiyuha6730]

as a native american im glad my people and myself never lost oiur culture and way of life we still stick to the ways of gitcha-manitou white man never could force or change us im avery proud DogRib nation huhahuhahuha may ur days be counted wasucun and may you be oppressed in the end for the damage you have caused all people with ur stolen religeion and long live our way of life

[@May-nf1ig]

"""Otejikelo,,, all ends and it's over"""

[@charlesswag4858]

Im from the blackfoot nation of canada and was raised to respect all people cultures.

[@fritzruttimann1517]

You was raised the right way.

[@shoshonewarrior828]

My grandma knows Indian sign language but she wouldn't teach me because nobody speaks it anymore.

[@redbenada798]

Is that really a valid reason to not teach you that?

[@yadielnieves2894]

@@redbenada798 that's enough for them. Lika imonhémemá. Bukansihiun totekinabu.

[@ambermikkelsen9172]

That could actually be a reason why it is imperative that she teach you

[@Crusader-Ramos45]

Hey guys there language dictionaries in various native american languages on Amazon.

[@mariekatherine5238]

Save a language, save a means of thought.

[@568843daw]

A language dies for many reason. Literacy and the time it takes to spread your “literacy” is a phenomenon that are companions. Written language is rare and has existed only in isolated countries throughout history. Out of 200,000 years of human existence, the written word has existed for about 5,000 years. In all of those millennia many languages have come and gone. If you hope to keep your language, it needs to be in written form too.

[@winros]

That makes sense and we're able to do that now! Many languages have disappeared there is a town in Ireland and you only can speak Gaelic!

[@gamermapper]

A writing system is definitely needed to make the language available in the classrooms. It's even possible to revive a dead language if there's written stuff left. However, the lack of literacy isn't the reason why languages die. The reason why languages die is because some other language is regarded as more important, more prestigious, very often because of political propaganda about some national identity. Sometimes its even forced upon by the state, so the schools, workplace, etc, all is forced in that language while you get punished for your own native language. This can be done even to languages that do have a written form. Just take Irish, Occitan, Cherokee, Mayan, Coptic, etc. And also even if you don't have a very old written form, it's still possible to revive a language. If there's some old people still speaking it, it's still possible to revive. Although it's much easier to do through written material, this means that even if you write down a language only today, it can still be saved.

[@garyharris3159]

Great Spirit Bless You

[@savanim4858]

I'm sorry that people did that to you all 😯.thats a horrible thing to do . to kick y'all out of your homes I'm sorry.😢

[@traviskrause8509]

Because its a heritage of a race of people why not save it!!!

[@iachavela1683]

I'd love to translate this video, so more people in different parts of the world living the same situations and conditions can access this information. Is there any chance you could enable adding subtitles? Blessings 🙏

[@themontanaexperience]

Hi - It looks like subtitles are enabled presently and are already transcribed by the system in English. Please click the "CC" button at the bottom of the video and you should see them.

[@tonifrischknecht7144]

I ran away from school, now live far away

[@tonifrischknecht7144]

true, language important, my language has 300' 000 people

[@kelusitepitbeautifulwoman4154]

mikmaq language here in canada. the younger kids do not speak it. im trying to make video of myself speaking as much as i possibly could. whatever words i know. we all need to make more videos of the language being spoken . im trying anyway. youtube., n other platforms. every little bit saved will make a difference.

[@usevenof1050]

European Heritage ? Nothing to do with you . * Let's start a new relationship . We are in the 21st century and we have the ability (and the global tools) to heal . * * Best wishes for your health . * * *

[@xenzeta8673]

me and the boys having to watch this for school

[@onfireforgodalmighty7214]

All languages, religions, believes, art, ceremonies, clothing styles, basket styles, workmanship styles of tools and weapons. Its all needs to be saved and taught to others. Some of it outsides of tribes. It's a great evil of what happened. It needs to be remembered so that hopefully it won't happen again. That's wrong totally annihilate groups of people. I am ashamed of the white part of me. Indian part of me Cries Out in heartache for what has been done to all the Indian tribes.

[@jamesbuck6623]

This is today them times have been over for a long time at least 50 yrs . There no time like now to start a begining of this

[@brigham2250]

Native Americans also lost their various religions as part of the same language (ban) deal. What remains is mixed with Christian-think. I would like to see them rebel against Christianity. It always bothers be when I see Native Americans talking about Jesus.

[@kangiyuha6730]

A young woman who did not have a husband, lived with her two brothers. One day a handsome stranger came to their house. The brothers said to the sister, “This handsome man has come for you so you must marry him.” So the couple were wed. On their wedding night the young woman awoke to the sound of a dog gnawing on a bone. The woman’s husband was also no longer at her side. She jumped up, lit the fire, and searched the tent but there was no dog in the tent. The woman went back to bed and fell asleep. Once again she was awakened by the sound of a dog gnawing on a bone. The woman called out to one of her brothers who threw a hatchet in the direction of the noise. There was a loud cry and then silence. The woman and her brothers quickly lit the fire and found a large black dog lying dead. The woman’s husband did not return. Eventually the woman gave birth to six puppies. The woman loved these puppies but she was also ashamed of them and concealed them in a sack. One day upon returning to the camp, the woman noticed the footprints of children around the camp. The next day instead of checking her snares as she usually did, she hid behind a bush close to the tent. After she had left, the six puppies crawled out of the sack and turned into three girls and three boys. The woman ran towards them but before she could reach them, two of the girls and one of the boys jumped back into the sack. Illustration of the woman watching the puppies turn into children The remaining three children grew up strong and healthy and produced many children. We are descended from them and that is why we call ourselves the Tłįcho or Dogrib people.my creation story not a myth its the truth

[@kangiyuha6730]

christians havent poluted my people

[@MatthewMcVeagh]

But formerly that was not the case, Christianity was imposed on some Native Americans, and that has changed their culture and influenced subsequent generations. Once people are in a belief-system it's hard to get rid of it, and to think freely, even if the law allows you to choose your religion.

[@MatthewMcVeagh]

Well that rather assumes that Christianity is true Steve.

[@rodney73991]

well christened spread because greeks. you find christianity in almost every country. is everybody a christen no. but you find christen every solven nations as indians are solvers nations no surprise find christine in there nations. as may find native americans may believe in recarnation or india religion or muslim. as well there own religions

[@Dovid2000]

Excellent documentary!

[@larrymoremckenzie3029]

I know a woman that tells that as she was growing up,her mother would allow no English spoken in her house,by her children,i have much respect for that woman.I know another person that likes to tell that although her parents spoke their Language they refused to speak it in front of the children,because of that same old story,they were punished for speaking their Language and they did not want their children punished! That should have given more resolve to make sure their children learned to speak their Language! i find it difficult to have any respect for that Philosophy!

[@brenguiden5521]

British control over the Irish brought my language too its knees. Irish language was outlawed by the English. This policy was passed on to the colonists in the Americas which forbids anything other than English.

[@gamermapper]

I absolutely agree. But Ireland has been independent for 200 years now. I feel they haven't done enough to save their language and restore it as their main language once again. They should've done similar things like in Québec, Catalonia, Latvia, Ukraine, etc, countries which did specific steps to specifically promote their own language instead of the hegemonic one. Ireland could for example create much more Irish speaking schools than English speaking ones, but also make sure that people from these schools try to communicate with native speakers so they won't have too much of an accent or too simplified grammar, also create classes for adults too, especially for them to learn and later use the language at home, also, create summer camps and other activities in Irish, and also promote Irish language media and entertainment.

[@Merlin-s9e]

Language choices are my voice DINE VOICE it's Language is great light of who I'm glad my tongue first and foremost important within me ❤🎉 Now with your tongue within me is still new words with to many roots and know trust within Language and this is I think about White people Language with great respect to all walks of life that's I'm sure 🎉

[@cl4ptp722]

RIP Edwin Benson. Too bad the Mandan language died with you.

[@mariofernandes138]

Wow this is crazy

[@Ziastarrecords]

NativeFlix.com is interested in your reel, thank you, please contact me when you have moment ..Great work, grateful, have a good day.

[@paigebowling6014]

What about the nuuch language? Ki maree unso dueva

[@rodney73991]

if movie is real they used langue as secret code that helped win war in world war 2. japenses could not figure out what say. if keep alive should treat like spanish and french write it down so everyone could learn. it hard learn because native americans all verbal not written down.

[@rodney73991]

also there 100 tribes. so most poplar tribes be ok. there small tribes leagues may fade away.

[@jammin1984]

Sad but beautiful story. Sad how Europeans used God the Creator in a way God Would Not Accept. All of our Indigenous People up and down the now called the Americas. Our languages were not English, Spanish, French, Portuguese or any other foreign language. Goes for the Native Hawaiians, Samoan, Aboriginies, Tonga, New Zealand and others I missed. God gifted them with their lands, waters, foods natural medicines and more just taken away. Not what Jesus Christ wanted to happen to any of them. All of the Christian churches not just the Catholic/Christian Church did these things to our peoples. God will deal with all who used his name for all of the Ugliness towards Indigenous People anywhere on his Earth! Young Indigenous People be strong and Don't Fall into Alcoholism, Drugs and Anything Bad Our People Did Not Do!

[@yudahel9821]

Are native Americans hybrids

[@shoshonewarrior828]

hybrids? Do you mean half blood?

[@sonny凡]

Basically everybody's a f*k!n mutt nowadays.

[@emlo9103]

what sux a big one and as horrible as it is the parents should of tooken control of their youg ones or even today let the children spend half the day with their elders only speaking the language,

[@JDoe-gf5oz]

14:33

[@nancycozzetti9494]

The spanish arent forced or Muslim

[@AlvinBalvin321]

‘Oi

[@zacharyshinzato5786]

OKINAWAN LANGUAGE SAVE TGAT TO

[@zendavesta1027]

YES, SAVE SAVE SAVE IT. ENGLISH PEOPLE LOST THEIR LANGUAGE TO FRENCH, ONLY 20% US WHAT’S LEFT OF OLD ENGLISH. WHY WOULD YOU GIVE UP YOUR AWESOME LANGUAGES FOR THIS BROKEN LANGUAGE?!

[@miztx2syuiip590]

we all are going to be speaking chip in binary soon- if chit don’t change lol

[@carllove3705]

I wanted to hear about "why save a Language". Not a history of all the complaints that happened in history.

[@fritzruttimann1517]

Carl Love - You just did not listen to them explanations well enough.

[@HiDefJesus]

Culture and language intersect, but they are not one in the same. You have to fully embrace Whorfianism for this documentary to make sense; however, the jury is still out on just to what degree language affects the way we think and perceive the world around us. These native Americans didn't always speak the same language. Languages evolve and dominate languages consume - there is nothing wrong with this. The same goes for culture. Stop pretending like the past is more important than the present.

[@jorgearroyo3090]

Those languages are still spoken, they're part of the present. You don't have to believe in Whorf to defend indigenous languages. Let's not pretend that a language or a culture disappears because it was "less fitted" than the dominant one, because that's not the way it works. It goes along with racism and colonialism, the domination is complete and in every aspect of life, not only in folk culture, but economical and political domination also. Preserving traditional knowledge can help to recover those lost spaces and fuel local organization that can contribute to improve native people's well being. Look at Hebrew and the jewish community. If a little of Whorfian ideology is needed to bring into discussion cultural loss I don't see the problem. Maybe it's closer to those cultures than our rationalized linguistic vision, and as such it may help to reconnect more cultural, linguistic, material, economical... erosion as parts of the same problem than other approaches.

[@MatthewMcVeagh]

Maybe some time in the future it will be 'correct' English to say "one in the same" rather than "one and the same", thanks to people like you... stranger things have happened to the English language... meanwhile these Native Americans want to preserve their culture AND language, and it doesn't matter how much it's the case that languages and cultures die out and are replaced by others, they don't want it to happen and that's part of the Whorf and Weber of historical change too.

[@gamermapper]

What Whorf said is that language fundamentally changes how you see the world. Even if that isn't true, what definitely is true is that if your community is speaking one language, than this community will be separate from another community just by the language barrier. You'll be able to create your own media specific to your community, for example movies, books, songs, theatre, children's tales, etc. While if you speak the same language as you do, you have a shared cultural sphere. That's why former British colonies like New Zealand, Ireland, the US and Britain are all considered culturally similar and part of the so called Anglosphere. While if New Zealand was mostly Maori speaking and Ireland Gaelic speaking, than these countries would have less in common, and Irish and Maori media would be considered significantly different, like Japanese anime for example is. As for Native Americans, they've never wanted to be a part of the US culture, they're their own peoples and even nations, they've been forced to participate in it, including by stripping them from their language.

[@gamermapper]

Also, there's a difference between genuine cultural and linguistic evolution and cultural and linguistic dominance and replacement. For example, Latin didn't really ever become extinct. In reality, what happened, is that Latin simply evolved into the different Romance languages, they're the direct descendants of Latin. While with Native American languages, it's not that they evolved in some way, nor that their culture got evolved in some way, like idk, tacos and pizza, rather, their language went extinct because the US forced them to speak English over their languages. Same with their culture That's it. That means their distinct culture could soon disappear.

[@MrYourcoffin]

Should have made a written language then.