In any language, message of hope reaches SOU graduates (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

June 12, 2005

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  Elaina Supahan, left, and her twin sister Nisha, go over notes prior 
to graduation exercises at Southern Oregon University. The sisters gave 
their commencement address in both English and the language of their 
Kurork Tribe. / Photo by Orville Hector

In any language, message of hope reaches SOU graduates
  By GREG STILES
Mail Tribune

ASHLAND ? Colleges and universities strive to attain a student body 
with wide-ranging backgrounds and talents.

So when graduating senior twins Elaina and Nisha Supahan delivered 
their student speech during Southern Oregon University?s 79th 
Commencement Saturday, they shared their message not only in English 
but a language few of the estimated 5,000 attendees at Mountain Arena 
had previously heard.

The Supahan sisters have been part of a movement to rekindle the native 
tongue of the Karuk Tribe living in a remote corner of Northern 
California on the Hupa Indian Reservation.

En route to gaining their bachelor?s degrees, they earned credit for 
developing Karuk language materials and teaching their traditional 
language. On Saturday, their classroom was Raider Stadium.

The twins reached into their Karuk culture to create a word-picture to 
describe their transition from obscure beginnings.

Elaina, a geography graduate, and Nisha, a communications graduate, 
delivered the address jointly in Karuk tongue and English. They told 
the story of how an acorn grows into a strong tree.

"We start small like an acorn, with a limited education," they said. 
"Then we grow roots and our knowledge develops over time. As graduates, 
we are ready to spread our knowledge."

They encouraged their fellow graduates to come to terms with their 
potential and keep in mind their past.

"Don't forget who you are and where you came from," they said.

The American natives followed a keynote address by the daughter of 
Russian immigrants, Libby Appel, artistic director of the Oregon 
Shakespeare Festival.

Appel told the graduates they?re in the midst of perilous times and 
reminded the Class of 2005 that many of them began college classes in 
the shadow of 9/11?s terrorists attacks.

Artists, she said, are people who believe in change and opportunities.

Appel, who received an honorary doctorate from the university, told the 
graduates that art communicates civilization to future generations and 
reminded them of advice she received years ago in another tongue: 
"Courage, strength and move forward."

Craig Jessen and Tina Lenker were named outstanding undergraduates, 
while Abraham Karam, Lindsey Lyons and Sara Sameh were the outstanding 
graduate students.

Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail  
business at mailtribune.com.

You can find this story online at:
http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2005/0612/local/stories/13local.htm
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