Alaska Senate Bill 130, which would create an Alaska Native Language Council, is scheduled for a floor vote on Thursday, April 12 at 10:00 AM.
On Monday in the Senate Finance Committee the bill received overwhelmingly supportive testimony. Jim Simard provided the following summary of the committee testimony.
The committee heard and moved SB 130 with a House Finance Committee Substitute.Joe Mischel, staff to the House Finance Committee, reviewed the committee substitute for the committee. He said the only change is on page 2, line 26. Section F is a new section, and it requires staff of the council to demonstrate proficiency in an Alaska Native Language.
Daisy May Berrera, UAF student, testifying from Bethel, testified in support of SB 130. SB 130 is an important bill for future generations. She urged the governor to include appointing an elder to the council. Elders are viewed as the foundation for cultural ideas, and the main backbone of culture. She also asked that a youth be appointed to the council, and send a powerful message that Alaska views indigenous languages as part of the state’s heritage. She testified in both Yup'ik and English, and pointed out that Yup'ik is much shorter to say the same thing.
Ukallaysaaq Tom Okleasik, planning director, Northwest Arctic Borough, testified in support of SB 130. The borough supports the bill, and thinks it is a long-overdue measure. Alaska Native languages are considered endangered or severely endangered by linguists all over the globe. The continued erosion of Alaska Native cultural identities has huge costs to the state. Funding the council is a way to take a positive step forward. Within their borough, the Iñupiak language is in serious decline. Only 18 percent indicated understanding the language well in a recent survey, so action is needed now to strengthen languages. The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the inherent value of their language. The borough supports SB 130 and greater cooperation between stakeholders in initiating and maintaining indigenous languages.
Crystal Rogers testified in Tlingit and English. She said she is testifying to represent the younger population. She is a student at UAS, and there are more students of indigenous languages than you might think. They need a little help from the legislature and the governor.
Rep. Tammie Wilson said the fiscal note for SB 130 is $240,200 in general funds, with two, full-time positions. Rep. Doogan said he’s only been in the legislature for six years, but there are very few pieces of legislation that have come through the committees he’s been in that deserve all the support they can give it, and that’s what he intends to do for SB 130.
Updates at http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20130
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