Pioneers of YupÂ’ik immersion students leave district (fwd link)

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Pioneers of Yup’ik immersion students leave district

ALEX DeMARBAN
June 05, 2008 at 3:48PM AKST
The Tundra Drums, Yukon

When a sandy-haired, fair-skinned teenager gave a greeting speech at Bethel
Regional High School’s graduation ceremony last month, tears streamed down
Agatha John-Shields’ cheeks.

It wasn’t just what Daniel Updegrove said.

It was the fact that the white science and math whiz — who tied with another
student for the second-highest academic rank in his graduating class — spoke in
perfect Yup’ik.

For John-Shields and others fighting to save the language of the Yukon-Kuskokwim
Delta, Updegrove’s few minutes on stage helped justify an immersion program that
remains controversial years after its creation.

Access full article below:
http://thetundradrums.com/news/show/2459