And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Tribes Vote Unanimously to Oppose Latest English-Only Legislation http://www.sltrib.com/1998/dec/12121998/utah/66907.htm BY SHAWN FOSTER THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE Leaders from Utah's eight American Indian tribes agreed Friday to oppose legislation that would make English the state's official language, restricting the use of other languages in state government. ``Ute is our native language,'' said Roland McCook, a member of the Ute Indian tribe's governing business committee. ``It's obvious that English is the dominant language, but to say our language cannot be recognized is ludicrous.'' At a meeting organized by the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, tribal leaders voted unanimously to oppose the measure because it is an ``attack on traditional languages, culture and traditions.'' The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Rowan, R-Orem, would prohibit state agencies from conducting government business or printing information in any language except English. The bill makes exceptions: foreign-language and English as a Second Language classes in public schools, foreign-language books in libraries, court interpreters, law-enforcement and emergency personnel who work with non-English-speaking communities, and tourism and economic-development programs. The bill has been killed in committee in the past two sessions of the Legislature. Rowan launched a successful petition drive to guarantee that the issue will be voted on during next year's Legislature. Rowan said American Indian tribes should not be concerned about her bill. ``Utah currently does not offer any services in Native American languages,'' Rowan said. ``So my bill won't even affect them.'' But the tribes are not alone in their criticism. Leaders from nearly every ethnic-minority community in the state have opposed the legislation as divisive and potentially harmful to their communities. Instead of ``English-only,'' the city councils in Ogden and Salt Lake City have adopted ``English-plus'' resolutions that recognize English as the nation's common language, but encourage residents to learn second and third languages. The resolutions also oppose Rowan's legislation. Utah tribal leaders embraced the English-plus approach in their vote Friday. And if Rowan's bill does pass, at least one tribe will disregard the law. ``If the bill passes, we will assert our sovereignty, ignore the law and continue using the Ute language,'' McCook said. ``For many Indians on our reservation, English is a second language. We will not forget that.'' <<end excerpt &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without profit or payment ...http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ `"` `"` `"` `"` `"` `"`
