School keeping Salish language thriving in new generation (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

*School keeping Salish language thriving in new generation*

September 02, 2012 9:33 pm  •  By KIM BRIGGEMAN of the Missoulian

ARLEE – It was time for lunch last week on the third day of classes at
Nkwusm Salish Immersion School, and Pat Pierre was getting young again.

The Salish elder and Nkwusm language specialist had just put 13 children
grades kindergarten through fourth through their vocabulary paces.

“Pepsi Cola,” Pierre had suggested from his chair at the end of a classroom
table. “Coca Cola … potato … sugar … milk.”

For each English word, with an occasional lighthearted prompt from teacher
Adele Martin, at least a few of the students had offered excited replies in
Salish. They’d twisted and squirmed in their small chairs around the table.
Two had peered through rings around their eyes made by thumbs and
forefingers. Another had leaned sideways in his chair, one leg elevated a
leg nearly to shoulder level.

But each had listened intently for the next cue, and now all of them were
crowding Pierre like teens around a rock star. One by one they reached up
to give their 83-year-old mentor a loving hug. For each embrace Pierre
responded with a Salish term of endearment.

“I just want to stay here,” one child said wistfully in English.

Access full article below:
http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/hometowns/school-keeping-salish-language-thriving-in-new-generation/article_16b34554-f578-11e1-adb9-001a4bcf887a.html

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ILAT note: Note the presence of a "donate" link!  All endangered language
media press releases should have a "donate" link.
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