Elders Meet to share knowledge
(Written by Sanford LittleEagle – Staff Writer)
How often do our Elders get asked what they think?
On December 1, 2011 over two dozen Elders and Language Apprentice speakers were invited to attend a listening session held by JoAnn Jones; to help and assist with the Ho-Chunk Nation language curriculum that can be taught in the schools. The intent was to allow Elders to voice their opinion and a rare chance to give some input about our language.
Jones set the bar and pace for a new direction. Working as the ANA Grants Coordinator, she said, “Developing Curriculum for our Ho-Chunk Language is an accomplishment by itself.” The Culture Based Language Materials Project is developing a curriculum for schools but is developing it with everyone in mind. The materials will be made available to every tribal member. The best way to learn a Language is to have been introduced to it at birth. Currently, many of our Ho-Chunk speakers have been speaking the language since birth.
Often times, when attending Language Conferences or other tribal conferences, one of the recurring stories heard from Elders is, “My parents wanted me to learn how to speak (English) and go to school.” While many of our grandparents and parents have identical stories, Chokas and Gagas permitted our Fathers and Mothers to not learn Ho-Chunk; it wasn’t spoken as often in the home and over time the language has gone unspoken. Another key factor to losing the language has been inter-racial marriages, or marrying into another tribe.
The Language and Culture Division has been working to revitalize the Ho-Chunk Language and have been using many new methods of producing more materials and optimizing tools that will reach the novice of speakers. But sometimes, there is need to reflect on the past to ensure a future for our Ho-Chunk Language.
So on December 1, the day was pretty gloomy and roads were a bit slick with big snowflakes falling to the ground. But, a little bit of snow didn’t stop several Ho-Chunk elders from around Wisconsin to travel to Mauston to meet up with each other, socialize, and get down to business to discuss the future of the Ho-Chunk language. Inside it was packed full of life. To be sitting with so many elders and to listen to them converse all in Ho-Chunk was amazing. There was over 500 years worth of language knowledge in the room, all I could do was sit in silence and listen.
One by one, different Elders spoke of how the language has been used in their homes, in their life, and how it was passed down to them. Many reflected on their parents, and their grandparents who took care of them. It was everyday life to use the language.
However, this was not the first meeting. JoAnn had been going from home to home visiting with many elders. In visiting these elder’s homes, she said everyone wanted to help and shared their stories with her. In the near future, she hopes to record their stories and talks.
In speaking with JoAnn, I asked her what she thought about the new ways of learning (the language) through Apps, Gaming Systems, and with our current curriculum. She said, “You have to approach Ho-Chunk language in a lot of different ways. Our young people are living a new generation. This generation includes technology, iPads, cell phones, and computers. If we can use that to help the young people now, they can have Ho-Chunk Language in there (the platforms), and the Language will be accessible through those games and applications. I think it’s exciting the new technology is here. The world is changing.”
There was a luncheon served and some good joking and laughing. Out of gratitude, JoAnn presented everyone with Ho-Chunk baskets as tokens of thanks for attending.
In closing, JoAnn said, “It was so awesome, I almost cried when I saw all their interest and their presence here. They thought so much of their language and came to help. I am so thankful to the Elders for coming and participating.”