Senate committee hears testimony on Native languages bill (fwd link)

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Senate committee hears testimony on Native languages bill

by Matt Buxton/mbuxton at newsminer.com Fairbanks Daily News Miner
Jan 31, 2012 USA

FAIRBANKS — Most of the 2012 legislative session has focused on
securing Alaska’s future — through oil tax reform, natural gas and
better education — but on Tuesday the Senate State Affairs Committee
heard testimony on preserving part of Alaska’s heritage — Native
languages.

During testimony for a measure that would establish the Alaska Native
Language Preservation and Advisory Council many experts and Native
advocates told the Senate that Alaska Native languages — a bastion of
Native culture and identity — are at risk of going extinct and need
protection.

The measure, proposed by Democratic Nome Sen. Donald Olson, would
create a council that would assess the state’s language policy and
programs and look for ways to create new programs to protect and
promote Native languages.

Read more: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - Senate committee hears
testimony on Native languages bill
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