Tribes rally against anti-bilingual education initiative Associated Press
PHOENIX---Hundreds of Indians rallied at the state Capitol against a ballot initiative to dismantle bilingual education in Arizona. The two-hour rally brought together children, elders and tribal leaders representing many of the state's 21 federally recognized tribes in a demonstration of unity against the anti-bilingual education initiative. Proposition 203 would replace bilingual education in Arizona with a one-year English immersion program. Although targeted primarily at Latino children classified as limited English speakers, many Native Americans fear the initiative could have the unintended consequence of eliminating programs on or near reservation schools aimed at saving tribal languages from extinction. Tribal members claim Prop 203 represents a throwback to the days when Native Americans were forced to abandon their centuries-old languages and cultures, a policy that they said led to many of the social ills plaguing reservations today. "It's that 'kill the Indian, save the man' viewpoint," said Rick Leonard, a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Leaders of English for the Children, the group spearheading the campaign to pass Proposition 203, contend the tribes will be able to continue their language programs because tribal sovereignty will override the state measure. In Arizona, there are 19,000 children on the Navajo Nation classified as limited English speakers who could be affected by Proposition 203, said William Holm, an education specialist for the tribe. |