TresSugar

Missing Words: Half of World's Languages to Die Out by 2100

LibertySugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:30:25 -0800

The chief of a Native American tribe died last year and with her an entire language. She was the last speaker of Eyak, a tribal tongue native to south central Alaska. Sound insignificant? Maybe it is, but with half of the world's 6,192 languages set to become extinct by the century's end, endangered languages are anything but scarce.

Proponents for letting dying languages go say the fewer languages the better - less confusion. But opponents maintain that language provides insight into individual cultures, and to let a language is die is to lose an entire knowledge base.

The documentary The Linguists, which PBS will air Feb. 26, follows two - surprise - linguists as they document four dying languages in Siberia, Bolivia, India, and Arizona and a movement to help indigenous groups reclaim their languages. Language revitalization has proved possible in cases where there's more than one speaker, at least a small group, and community and state support.

Good magazine interviewed the two linguists behind the documentary. To see what they had to say, read more.

Greg Harrison and David Anderson point out that language and identity are intertwined. Language encodes nearly everything people have ever thought and known throughout and about history. Harrison said, "We’re losing this vast knowledge base that might contain the secrets of how we’re supposed to survive and we don’t even know it."

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Parents Say No Thanks to Pilgrim and Native American Dress

LibertySugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:30:55 -0800

If you grew up in America, you probably have memories of dressing up as pilgrims and Native Americans during your classroom Thanksgiving celebration. Well this year children in Claremont, CA, won't be cutting out their construction paper bonnets and headdresses, as some parents have deemed the controversial costumes demeaning.

One parent, also a professor of Native American literature, told the LA Times:

I'm sure you can appreciate the inappropriateness of asking children to dress up like slaves (and kind slave masters), or Jews (and friendly Nazis), or members of any other racial minority group who has struggled in our nation's history.

Still others accuse the historically sensitive parents of using children as a political platform. Has a festive tradition fallen victim to political correctness, or is it time to stop this racist stereotype?

Study Finds Alcohol Related Deaths Huge For Native Americans

CitizenSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:30:25 -0700

A new federal report released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention claim that nearly 12 percent of deaths in the American Indian and Alaskan Native population are alcohol related. This statistic when compared to the national average of 3.3 percent for the US as a whole has been a “call to action."

The study examined all alcohol-related deaths between 2001 and 2005 and found the two leading causes of alcohol-related deaths among the Indian populations were traffic accidents and liver disease. This study however, may still be low as other alcohol-related deaths like tuberculosis, pneumonia, and colon cancer, all of which are usually associated with alcohol abuse, were not included.

The largest number of tribal deaths related to alcohol consumption, nearly a third of the total numbers, occurred in the Northern Plains. The lowest numbers were in Alaska. Although the study did not research regional causes that might cause such a disparity, one researcher offered: “It may be a function of social perceptions of alcohol in that particular region.” Meaning, one assumes, that peer pressure does not always end with adolescence.

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Same-Sex Marriage - Native American Style

LibertySugar — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:00:36 -0700

Oregon's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage won't stop one lesbian duo from getting their marriage legally recognized in the state. After the couple asked, the Coquille Indian Tribe in southern Oregon adopted a law recognizing same-sex marriages. The Coquille is the first tribe to legalize same-sex marriage, but it isn't the the first Indian tribe to take a stance on the matter: the Navajo and Cherokee tribes both ban same-sex marriage.

The Coquille tribal leader explained:

For our tribe, we want people to walk in the shoes of other people and learn to respect differences. Through that, we think we build a stronger community.

Indian tribes have legal authority over domestic relations between members, unless Congress decides to take away that right. Nonetheless, the state of Oregon and the federal government will not recognize the unions performed by the tribe. Do you see a tidal wave of same-sex marriage legalization coming, or will this evolution of marriage stay on the reservation?

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UT Judge Rules Tribe a "Sham." Are Tribal Exceptions Good?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:01:39 -0700

A federal judge in Utah just ordered a $63,000 civil judgment against four people claiming to be chiefs of an American Indian tribe in eastern Utah. The men conducted tribal meetings at a fast-food restaurant and claim hundreds of tribal members. They won't recognize federal or state laws, issue their own drivers' licenses and have filed numerous lawsuits against Utah authorities for ignoring their purported sovereignty.

The group/tribe calls itself the Wampanoag Nation, using the name of Mashpee Wampanoag Nation, a Massachusetts tribe who greeted the Pilgrims in 1620. Yesterday the judge ordered the men to stop pretending to be American Indians and pay Uintah County damages. He called their tribe a "complete sham." Officials with the federally recognized tribe declared that the Utah men were obvious impostors.

Given some of the benefits extended to Federally recognized tribes, it's understandable the men might want to claim ancestry. Are tribal exceptions like gaming, good for everyone? To see a little bit about it, read more.

Benefits extended to members of tribes recognized by the US include: communication on a "government-to-government" basis with leaders of the tribes, medical and dental care, grants and programs for education, housing programs, aid in developing tribal governments and courts, resource management, and other services depending on need and interest.

One of the most visible tribal exceptions could be as close as your nearest casino: Indian Gaming.

Those in favor of Indian Gaming consider the thriving construction of casinos as a means of realizing the goal of full Tribal sovereignty, while opponents warn tribal leaders about the cultural costs of these operations. The two sides wonder whether or not casinos and culture can, in fact, co-exist peacefully - and still more wonder whether encouraging the growth of the gambling industry is good for the country or fair at the bottom line.

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), passed by Congress in 1988, provides a source of income for tribes. Though Tribes have the power to tax their members, with unemployment high and taxable income low, tribes turned to gaming as a source of revenue. The IGRA was a Congressional attempt to strike a balance between the rights of tribes to engage in activities mostly free from state jurisdiction as well as the interests of states in regulating gaming activities within their boundaries.

In 2006 revenue from gaming was about $25.5 billion. Gambling on tribal lands employs about 327,000 people, and according to recent reports, led to about $80.7 billion added the U.S. economy and $11.7 billion generated in taxes. 228 tribes use gambling revenues to fund tribal governments and support social services, about 34 percent of tribes distribute direct payments to tribal members. Considered sovereign governments, tribes do not pay corporate income taxes on tribal revenue or property tax on reservation land. Those who live and work on reservations do not pay state income or property taxes, purchases made on Indian lands are tax-free.

Is this plan best for all involved? Does gaming provide a tempting pay-out that keeps tribal leaders wealthy and keeps tribal members dependent? What does a reliance on gaming do to tribal culture? To the surrounding culture? Are we gambling a rich cultural history on a pull of the slots? And what about that tax situation. . .?

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Sarah Palin Still Hasn't Dumped Her Pro-Marital Rape Nominee

TresSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:30:00 -0700

Revelations about Wayne Anthony Ross, Sarah Palin's choice for Alaska attorney general, have me wondering: what did she possibly see in him?

Some of the accusations leveled against Ross include: he's called homosexuals "degenerates," ridiculed an African-American student who was offended by a KKK art project, worked to undermine Native American tribal sovereignty, and defended men who rape their wives. Is there anyone he hasn't managed to affront? Oh yeah, straight white men.

The accusation that he is a defender of marital rape got his confirmation off track this week. An antidomestic-violence lobbyist sent a letter to the Alaskan legislature accusing Ross of saying in 1991: "If a guy can't rape his wife, who's he gonna rape?" Ross denied making the comments.

But women's rights groups say Ross has a habit of making antiwoman remarks. He allegedly once said: "If a woman would keep her mouth shut, there wouldn't be an issue with domestic violence."

If Sarah Palin wants to win back the women's vote for Republicans in 2012, she'd better distance herself from public figures like Ross. It looks like she might do just that - she's considering scraping his nomination before it goes to a vote.

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Aloha Queen? Native Group Wants Hawaiian Monarchy Back

LibertySugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:00:33 -0700

Some natives in Hawaii want to reclaim their island's sovereignty. The Hawaiian Kingdom Government issues its own license place, and operates under a separate judicial system. Her Majesty Mahealani Kahau leads the group of 1,000 members who claim the right to dissolve Hawaii and confiscate all bank assets in the state.

The official American state government pretty much leaves the legally unenforceable monarchy alone. Out of the population of 1.3 million, 200,000 are Hawaiian natives. Hawaii boasts numerous organizations claiming sovereignty over the island on behalf of the natives.

Before the US annexed Hawaii in 1898, Queen Liliuokalani ruled the paradise. American businessmen ousted and imprisoned the queen, and now the Kingdom Government is fighting for reparations. In 2007, they levied a $7 trillion fine on the American state. Think they'll have any luck?

Do native Hawaiians have a right to assert their sovereignty? Legislation passed by the House of Representatives, and awaiting adoption by the US Senate, would grant Native Hawaiians self-government similar to American Indian tribes. Will that be enough to address past wrongs?

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Quiz Nation! Columbus Day's Different Meanings

LibertySugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:15:37 -0700

The second Monday in October historically has been celebrated as Columbus Day in the US. But not every place in the country, or the rest of the world, marks Columbus's arrival to the new world the same way due to unsettled feelings about celebrating a historical figure attributed with the suffering of native people.

In South Dakota, the day is called Native American Day. In cities like Boston, New York, and San Francisco, the Italian-American community celebrates their native son with an Italian heritage parade. Find out what you know about the historical event marked today!

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Take the quiz

Thanksgiving Party Crib Sheet: 10 Hot Dinner Table Topics

CitizenSugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:00:59 -0800

Thanksgiving is all about family, delicious food, fancy drinks, and, of course, small talk about the state of the nation, gas prices, and our president-elect. Debating politics with family members can get dicey, so I suggest doing your homework and having a safety net of topics that will encourage healthy conversation and smart family bonding without alienating those who, well, don't agree with you.

Whether your aim is a heated, controversial debate or lighthearted banter, here are some stories that are sure to get the crowd talking. (Note: Number 10 might be best served during cocktail hour and not over your Thanksgiving spread.)

Thanksgiving-Themed Outfits Forbidden in Class - A group of children in Claremont, CA, weren't allowed to dress up as pilgrims and Native Americans this year for their classroom Thanksgiving after parents deemed the controversial costumes demeaning.
President Bush Calls Iraq War a Success - While debris from collapsing financial institutions continue to fall during the final days of the Bush administration, the president has found something he considers a "success" - the Iraq war.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities List Released - The latest City Crime Rankings looked at reported incidents of six major crimes to determine the most dangerous dwellings in the US. With a population of only 250,000 that changed drastically after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans came out on top. Was your city on the list?

For more juicy conversation starters, read more.

Unemployed Fred Thompson Decides to Go Back to Acting - While he failed to convince enough Americans to make him president, Republican Fred Thompson still has a shot at playing commander-in-chief. The former presidential candidate, US Senator, and (pretend) NYC district attorney plans to go back to acting.
Eliot Spitzer's Call Girl Ashley Dupré Talks to 20/20 - Reformed call girl Ashley "Kristen" Dupré has finally opened up about her experience with "Client No. 9," or as you may know him, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Dupré told Diane Sawyer that escorts differ from prostitutes because they offer "more than sex."
Intelligence Report Says Dominance Set to Wane by 2025 - Americans might need to start practicing being humble, because by 2025 the US could lose its position of global supremacy.
DVD Explains How to Fight the Local Gay Agenda - The American Family Association's latest DVD - They're Coming to Your Town - teaches unsuspecting Christian communities how to prevent gays from taking over their towns. If you're so inclined, you can purchase the DVD in a five-pack and distribute it to your friends or Sunday school teachers.
Will Smoking Make Obama a Better President? - Barack Obama may like to work out, but that doesn't mean he's snuffed out all unhealthy habits. Barack promised first-lady-to-be Michelle that he would quit smoking back in 2007 - that much we know. Yet it still remains unclear whether Barack successfully quit, and the president-elect hasn't given a direct answer, nor has the media demanded one.
The City of Love Issues a Manual to Stop Forced Marriages - Paris, the universal capital of love and romance, created a manual on forced marriages this week to help officials spot and prevent cases of young women being forced into matrimony.
Did Sarah Palin Ruin Thanksgiving? - You may have heard Sarah Palin can hunt and skin a moose, but did you know that she could give an interview while someone else slaughters turkeys in the background? In the video that hit the web this week, Palin chats about Alaska's state budget and her experience on the campaign trail, while turkeys meet their dark, headless fates. (Warning! Watching this video could prevent you from eating turkey on Thanksgiving or ever again.)

Corporal Punishment in Schools: Does It Teach Kids a Lesson?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:45:53 -0700

I'll just start with the stat I didn't know at all: corporal punishment is legal in schools in 21 US states. It is, however, illegal in 106 other countries, including most of Europe and the UK. I remember having to put my head down on my desk a lot (I was a talker, big surprise) and my history teacher did smack your desk with a yardstick if you fell asleep during a video, but it's not quite the same thing - no one ever hit me.

That's not the case according to this spanking new survey, detailing almost a quarter of a million kids who have been physically disciplined in schools. Opponents of the paddling practice call it abuse, while supporters say it works wonders. One former principal says, "You know, they may think about doing something but when they think about corporal punishment, that fear will make them say, 'No, I don't think I'm going to do that right now.'"

Whether it works or not is mitigated by the study finding that the punishment isn't doled out equally. To find out who gets paddled most, read more.

African-American girls were more than twice as likely as white girls to be hit, as were kids with disabilities and Native-Americans. In the 2006-07 school year African-American students were 17.1 percent of the student body, and 35.6 percent of those paddled. Students with disabilities in Texas were 10.7 percent of students and received 18.4 percent of the punishment, a rate of almost twice as many beatings as expected.

Though little research has been done on corporal punishment's efficacy in classrooms, research shows it doesn't work in the home. One researcher says, "It makes them more aggressive, more delinquent, and makes them have more mental health problems."

Should schools and teachers have the right to use corporal punishment? If they do, how can they make sure it's even? Do certain populations misbehave more often causing the inequity, or does it highlight possible prejudice in the classroom?

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