Independent news from the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance

Save your language

JT Shining Oneside shared stories about her Ojibwe and Anishinaabe inheritance during the Native American Heritage Month Celebration on Nov. 15. She spoke about the coming-of-age and traditional birth ceremonies. (Photo credit/ Adrianna Adame)

This could be an interesting conference for anyone — everyone — who understands the importance of saving our indigenous languages.  The following conference is coming up fast if you are thinking about attending. On June 5th and 6th, 2010, three language revitalization activists will be hosting the “Save Your Language” Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. The important two-day conference will introduce a new method that anyone can use to become fluent in any language. For details on the conference and to learn how to register, visit http://saveyourlanguage.wordpress.com. The registration … Continue Reading: http://intercontinentalcry.org/save-your-language-conference-june-5-6th-in-vancouver-bc/.

Last year in May, I attended a language summit in Washington, D.C. that made me realize that languages should be our number one priority in our schools and communities. Language revitalization should be mandated in our school systems. I have the deepest respect for the individuals who are working with the youth. I attended a Nwkusm fundraiser a few weeks ago. I believe everyone in the room pulled out their checkbook to donate to the school after hearing the positive stories about language preservation from the students and teachers. Support your local schools!

 

Jodi Rave

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear

Jodi Rave Spotted Bear is the founder and director of the Indigenous Media Freedom Alliance, a 501-C-3 nonprofit organization with offices in Bismarck, N.D. and the Fort Berthold Reservation. Jodi spent 15 years reporting for the mainstream press. She's been awarded prestigious Nieman and John S. Knight journalism fellowships at Harvard and Stanford, respectively. She also an MIT Knight Science Journalism Project fellow. Her writing is featured in "The Authentic Voice: The Best Reporting on Race and Ethnicity," published by Columbia University Press. Jodi currently serves as a Society of Professional Journalists at-large board member, an SPJ Foundation board member, and she chairs the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee. Jodi has won top journalism awards from mainstream and Native press organizations. She earned her journalism degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder.