Lost Language Day Call for Interest

[Dave Wells]

I have missed a lot of the discussion and dialogue regarding the Lost 
Language Day (I wrote the obit for Oliver Mason/Quinault).

I do think that we can do much to bring awareness to others outside this 
group; and perhaps that is a move we can all do.  Often I think we are 
talking quietly in a great storm: few can hear.

I have talked with one of the Quinault elders who has expressed concern 
that there is little being done to work with those few remaining elders 
and what little remains.  

It is unfortunate that often those whose responsiblity it is to conserve 
and maintain such living resources often have their own agendas and 
paper-shuffling as priorities.  It is also unfortunate that so many 
people have embraced self over community and greed over honour.  The 
civilising effects of culture attempt to bring us to a social level where 
we can all survive together (and hopefully in harmony with the natural 
world) and to 'lift' us from the those competitive, selfish traits that 
are so much a part of human nature.

I do have to say that there has been a surprising and good-heart response 
here.  In the end there are those who are dedicated and who do what they 
can to prevent the lost of knowledge and wisdom that we have inherited.  
If we are too busy to savour the flowers of knowledge that adorn our 
life's path, we have have missed the beauty that is before us.  Let us 
put our work and efforts in those directions where we can be most effective. 

I do thank all those who have written to me (and continue to write).  I 
have received messages from around the world (including Sweden's 
statsminister).  They have all been appreciated and passed on to Oliver 
Mason's family.

Thank you.
Dave Wells
Olympia WA USA