Acoma kids show off language skills (fwd)

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Acoma kids show off language skills
http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2007/08/06/news/news11.txt

Monday, August 6, 2007 5:09 PM MDT ACOMA - One by one they proudly stood on
the stage dressed in traditional clothing. All eight of the students in the
Oral History Project introduced themselves in the Keresan language to the
gathering of more than 100 community members at the Acoma Auditorium last
Tuesday.

The eight students, along with help from their instructors, showed off their
acting talents too as they performed a skit based on the Acoma Emergence
Story.

William Estevan, one of the instructors of the project, talked about the
unique program that has tribes from all across the country seeking Acoma's
help in reestablishing their own efforts to save their languages.

“The students studied oral language which included the Acoma emergence
story, how the people came to their present state. Every day, excluding
feast days, the students were involved with the Acoma Keres language and
the oral story telling of the history of Acoma,” Estevan said.

Vina Leno, Program Director for the Acoma Language Retention Program, said
the program continues to improve each year as it celebrates its 10-year
anniversary with a brand new place to call home.

“Last year the tribal council approved appropriations for a new building and
the building will be arriving this month,” Leno said.

With much of its focus on the Acoma youth, Leno said she is looking to
expand the program to include adults and newborns.

“Then when the newborns get to the schools they can continue with the
program,” Leno said.

One positive aspect of the program that Leno did not foresee when it started
was the security the students felt with their instructors.

“The kids usually find the language classes a safe haven. They find it easy
to talk with the instructors and they are able to tell them what they want
to learn about Acoma,” Leno said.

For Dakota Chino, 15, a sophomore at Grants High School, the language class
taught him a lot about his people and who he is.

“We learned about our history and colors and stuff like that. They taught us
in a way that was fun,” Chino said.

Chino said the classes encouraged him to get help from his mom and dad when
he was at home. One problem Chino may face is continuing the language
program while pursuing his athletic goals at Grants High School.

“I heard they were going to have an after-school program which I will
probably come to, but it might be kind of hard because I run cross
country,” Chino said.

Despite the hurdles he will face this fall, Chino is optimistic that he will
continue with the language program.

“Our language is a big part of our traditions and we have to learn our
language because it is everything and I know it will help me in the
future,” Chino said.

By Will Kie

Beacon staff writer

will at cibolabeacon.com