The National Indian Education Association President, Pamela Agoyo, released a statement calling for immediate congressional action on Native language immersion legislation. According to her statement, “Every Native child should have the right to be educated in his or her own language. Today, we have the opportunity to make that a reality. A sound education, rooted in cultural and linguistic traditions, is our most lasting memorial to the past as well as our means to secure the future.”

In June, the NIEA gave testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs confirming that, “Native language revitalization and preservation is a critical priority to tribes and Native communities because language preservation goes to the heart of Native identity.” their document pointed out “In many ways, language is culture. Learning and understanding their own languages helps Native students thrive and is a critical piece to ensuring schools serve Native students effectively.” The statement also confirmed what many members of Anishinaabemowin-Teg know, “Immersion programs serve the dual purpose of increasing academic achievement and guaranteeing that a student’s language will be carried forward for generations.” Theresa McCarty’s research has shown that “students with sustained, cumulative Native language and cultural instruction perform as well as, or better than, their peers in mainstream classes on completing academically challenging tasks.”

View the recent statement here:
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103596296665-505/Native+Language+Statement.pdf

View the testimony here:
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103596296665-423/NIEA+June+2014+SCIA+Legislative+Hearing+Testimony.pdf