<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Okii everyone,<BR>
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Please write a letter in support of S. 575. The Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs is having a hearing for S. 575 on Thursday, May 15th in Washington, DC. <BR>
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S. 575 an amendment to the Native American Languages Act which states "<I>it is the policy of the United States to preserve, protect, and promote the rights and freedom of Native Americans to use, practice, and develop Native American languages."</I> S. 575 will bring the U.S. one step closer to assuring the preservation and revitalization of Native American languages by supporting the continued existence of Native American language survival schools.<BR>
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S. 575 will benefit and support tribes in their efforts to preserve and promote tribal languages. One of the purposes of S. 575 is "<I>to demonstrate the positive effects of Native American language survival schools on the academic success of Native American students and the students' mastery of standard English."</I> <BR>
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Your letter should address two important issues:<BR>
1) Why NA languages are important to preserve?<BR>
2) Why NA "language survival schools" are an important method to both preserve languages and improve academic achievement?<BR>
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You can send your letter to Senator Campbell, Chairman and Senator Inouye, Vice-Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, by either:<BR>
email -- testimony@indian.senate.gov<BR>
fax -- (202) 224-5429<BR>
or mail -- United States Senate, Committee on Indians Affairs, Washington, DC 20510.<BR>
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Please also send your letter to YOUR entire congressional delegation. <BR>
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Kitmatsin -- Rosalyn</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Rosalyn LaPier<BR>
Piegan Institute<BR>
www.pieganinstitute.org</FONT></HTML>