Last of the Siletz speakers (fwd link)

[phil cash cash]

Last of the Siletz speakers

As native languages of the Northwest fade into extinction, tribal member Bud
Lane is racing to keep Oregon Coastal Athabaskan alive -- one ancient whispered
word at a time

Sunday, November 25, 2007
NIKOLE HANNAH-JONES
The Oregonian Staff

"Chabayu." Bud Lane presses his lips against the tiny ear of his blue-eyed
grandbaby and whispers her Native name.

"Ghaa\UNSTRIP-yalh," he beckons -- "come here" -- in words so old, ears heard
them millennia before anyone with blue eyes walked this land.

In his voice, the Siletz man hopes to teach her a tongue almost no one else
understands.

As the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians celebrate 30 years since they won
back tribal status from the federal government, the language of their people is
dying. By some standards, Oregon Coastal Athabaskan is already dead. Just four
others in the world speak it fluently. At 50, Lane is among the youngest.

To access full article, follow the link below:
http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1195682157265430.xml&coll=7