II.isimałiq Uqapiałiġmik
Language holds us together. When our Elders began meeting in 1976 the first thing they
told us was how important it is for us to know our language. The Iñupiaq language has
holistic, scientific and spiritual concepts that are difficult to explain in the English language.
Our language is beautiful, respectful, descriptive and humorous. Without our language we
will not be able to preserve our culture wholly or understand fully what it is to be Iñupiaq.
y y Elders and Iñupiaq language speakers must make sure that our
language is learned and spoken by the Iñupiaq people, especially
children. It is much easier to teach small children languages.
y y Elders should work to get people in our villages and region to
organize reading, writing, and speaking of our language in homes,
schools and villages.
y y The Iñupiaq people, the educators and others who work for the
Iñupiaq people should learn to speak Iñupiatun. There should be
no excuse for not learning the language.
y y Those punished for speaking in Iñupiaq in the past should be
helped to overcome their trauma.
y y Elders meetings should be conducted Iñupiatun with translation
provided, if necessary.
y y Use tools available like Rosetta Stone CD Rom at the school’s
bilingual programs.
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IÑUPIAT ILITQUSIAT
IÑUPIAT ILITQUSIAT
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