traditions of assimilation...

[Rrlapier at AOL.COM]

The quote below defines the key difference within our community.
 
In a message dated 2/21/2008 9:59:58 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,  
Paul_Lewis at SIL.ORG writes:

Whether the "other" less-powerful group is categorized  in theological terms 
(sinful) or socioeconomic terms (primitive, undeveloped,  backwards, etc.) the 
same dynamics of power and domination are at work.  
Those individuals seeking greater economic opportunity -- gave up most BF  
culture and language on their own -- it became viewed as "backward." If you  
spoke the language or had an accent (as a second language learner) it meant your  
family did not own a TV or a radio and you were "poor." The hallmark of not  
being poor was speaking English.
 
[Back in the day there were two economic groups in our community, the  
cowboys and the Indians, -- most people wanted to be cowboys. So that meant  giving 
up most BF practices, language, etc. It also meant giving up your horses  (the 
old definition of wealth) and start raising cows (the new definition of  
wealth).]
 
So those individuals that did not care about being poor were usually the  
fundamentalist Christians and the Catholics. Thus they maintained their language  
and maintained most BF cultural lifeways (NOT religious practices). However,  
because they are/were fluent in the language and came from culturally  
knowledgeable families. These individuals are very knowledgeable about BF  religious 
practices, songs, rituals, etc. And they will talk to you about these  
practices, in a very academic, nonpartisan way. 
 
Once again, it is my experience, that the most helpful people, the most  
knowledgeable people in our community are from these groups.  I have  never been 
proselytized or told that this information is "sinful" -- because  these 
individuals are very culturally BF, they are respectful to the  individuality of 
people (a very BF belief).  


Rosalyn LaPier 
sorry, a not so long historical answer
 
P. S. Let me rephrase something, some of the Catholics maintain both  
religious practices, Christian and BF, they viewed them as compatible.  There are 
many "traditionalists" who are also devout  Catholics. 




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