Hupacasath First Nation fears its language may die (fwd link)

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Hupacasath First Nation fears its language may die

Last fluent speakers of the dialect have passed away

BY JUDITH LAVOIE, CANWEST NEWS SERVICE
DECEMBER 17, 2009
Canada

The last two members of the Hupacasath First Nation able to speak the language
fluently died within the last month and there are fears the dialect could die
with them.

Dorothy Unger, 76, died Nov. 21 and Edward Tatoosh, known as Tat, one of the
Port Alberni band’s best known and most colourful characters, died on Saturday.

This week, more than 400 people attended a memorial service for Tatoosh, a
talented jazz musician.

“Our language has gone from critical to very near extinct,” said Judith Sayers,
former Hupacasath chief, who was instrumental in starting an intensive
Hupacasath language program which has produced 10 books and numerous CDs and
DVDs with the help of five fluent speakers.

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http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Hupacasath+First+Nation+fears+language/2353849/story.html