Saving Language Saving History (fwd link)

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Saving Language Saving History

Reported by: Darrell Franklin
Thursday, Nov 6, 2008 @01:46pm CST

Centuries ago, possibly where oil wells and factories now stand around Wichita
Falls, there were only the brush and grass- covered domed huts of the Wichita
Indians, and their fields of tobacco, corn and melons. But as the new white
settlers began moving in, and the buffalo herds vanished, the band of Wichitas
along the Red and Wichita Rivers began to decline. The Wichitans retreated or
were forcibly moved with other bands to indian territory. They settled around
the Wichita Mountains area, before becoming absorbed after the Civil War with
associated tribes around Anadarko. Now, much of their culture, including their
language, is vanishing. And, only one woman, the last Wichita speaker, may be
able to prevent that from happening. 81- year old Doris Jean Lamar is one of
the last links to her tribe's ancient way of life, including the very words
they spoke around their fires and in their huts. Of all the generations of
Wichitans who once spoke her native tongue, Doris is the very last fluent
Wichita speaker.

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