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I have read the comments on this topic with interest. I agree with Mark
Swetland's observation that we should not take one person's comments as
being representative of the Tribe. In my experience, I have heard some
opposition to the term "Omaha-Ponca", but not much. Frankly, the term
is not used in the community. Similarly, I would tend to doubt "O-P" is
used in Macy, either. <br>
<br>
Of the opposing sentiments I have heard, little tends to come from
fluent speakers. Rather, in my own opinion, this sort of thing seems to
turn into a political football tossed into the well guarded turf of
"specialized knowledge" and status - but generally not amongst those
who spoke Ponca as their first language. <br>
<br>
Fluent speakers are quick to point out that Ponca and Omaha are
mutually intelligible ("we can understand them and they can understand
us"). But, they are also quick to point out that "it's not the same
language" or "they talk different than we do". In my opinion, the
difference seems to be primarily in "usage", akin to the American and
British use of English. An example I was given by one of my Ponca
relatives points out that the Ponca term for a wagon translates as
"running wood", whereas the Omaha term, I believe, translates as
"walking wood". Ponca speakers understand "zhaN maNthiN" to be a wagon,
but most would never think to say it that way. I've heard fluent Omaha
speakers say the inverse was true, as well. They recognize "zhaN
naN'ge" as meaning "wagon", but as a Ponca speaker would say it. <br>
<br>
Ponca people have long held that they are "related" to the Omaha
("they're our relatives") but that they have always been a separate
entity - the two tribes living together at one time but always distinct
from one another. I've heard Omaha people describe the relationship in
a similar manner.<br>
<br>
Accordingly, as long as you acknowledge this commonly held tradition,
and explain it as proposed, I'm not sure where the problem lies. You
may not get a consensus on everyone liking the term "Omaha-Ponca" - I
don't think you ever will - but I think we've got bigger fish to fry.
The language of <u>both</u> the Omaha and Ponca people is in severe
trouble. In my opinion, it's more important that we all get on the same
side of the rope, rather than worry about those complaining about terms.<br>
<br>
wetha'wa zhi'de naN'ba wi wi'ta......<br>
<br>
TML<br>
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type="cite"><br>
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