Cherokee chief denounces 'official English' legislation (fwd link)

[phil cash cash]

Cherokee chief denounces 'official English' legislation

Last Update: 4/03 9:07 pm

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The chief of the Cherokee Nation said Thursday legislation
that would make English Oklahoma's official language opens up old wounds for
American Indians, who in the past were herded into boarding schools and forced
to speak English instead of their native language.

Principal Chief Chad Smith was honored by the state House and Senate one day
after the "official English" measure was approved by a state House committee at
a meeting during which Smith was denied an opportunity to express his opposition
to the bill's goal of forcing immigrants to assimilate by speaking English.

Full article link below:
http://www.kjrh.com/content/news/2viewgc/story.aspx?content_id=97978d72-fcc6-4e61-9c3d-5f1d93dab744