By Angeline Hoffman, White Mountain Apache Reservation
Stories of the Indigenous people matter, because the stories influences how we think about ourselves, where we come from and formulates the way in which we think about cultural perspectives and people.
The one element inherent in Stories Matter is Storytelling. Storytelling, in Indigenous narratives, involves the origins of identity, knowledge systems, and ways of knowing and being, Continue reading
by Julia López-Robertson, Deanna Futrell, Jennifer Judy and EDRD 797, The University of South Carolina
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by Monique Storie, University of Guam
Question: When is it okay to use a native language in a children’s book?
This question has been sitting at the back of my mind for some time now. For about fifteen years, I have been working with a group who are passionate about preserving and promoting the indigenous cultures within the Micronesian region. I have participated in events, activities and projects to keep the Chamorro culture alive and the Chamorro language has been a crucial part of these efforts. The Chamorro language is an essential part of the Marianas archipelago’s cultural identity because language is one of the last distinctly Chamorro elements left. Because of that, I am moved by the sound of our elders singing and am filled with hope when I hear young children talking with each other or with their parents in Chamorro. I support publishing books, songs, and news articles in Chamorro. But despite all my pride and elation, despite all my advocacy and academic understanding, I find myself conflicted about using Chamorro for children’s books. Continue reading