DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: UND honors last fluent speaker of Mandan (fwd link)

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Published May 26 2009
USA

DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: UND honors last fluent speaker of Mandan

Edwin Benson spent his life working toward the preservation of the culture and
language of the Mandan. He has lived that culture and is the only living Mandan
who is fluent in the Mandan language.

NEW TOWN, N.D. — At UND’s 121st commencement ceremony on May 16, Edwin Benson,
Mandan tribal elder, received an honorary doctor of letters degree.

Benson will now be added to the list of recipients of honorary degrees, a list
that includes famed heart surgeon Michael DeBakey and President John F.
Kennedy. He was among some 1,500 men and women who received degrees from the
university that day.

What’s special about Benson is that he has a long history as a teacher. Notably,
he spent his life working toward the preservation of the culture and language of
the Mandan. He has lived that culture and is the only living Mandan who is
fluent in the Mandan language.

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http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/120284/group/home/