Language conference in Niles

Published 2:23 am Friday, July 21, 2006

By Staff
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians hosts the fourth annual Language Conference of the Potawatomi Indians in an effort to keep the language alive.
The Language Conference will take place July 23-26 at the Niles Inn Conference Center.
"Hearing the Language" is this year's conference theme as the Potawatomi Indians struggle in an uphill battle to preserve the language.
"It's important for them to know our language. When you know your language, you know your culture, and it provides a better understanding at ceremonies and other gatherings," said Jason Wesaw, culture associate of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
"One of the main priorities for the tribe is the complete restoration of the culture and language. Our older generation is our real gift. They are who we turn to for language, " said Wesaw. "We want people to understand their culture and know where they came from. Once we lose the language, it's gone. We can never get it back."
Speakers, presenters, teachers and students of all ages will attend the conference.
Attendees are expected from all nine Potawatomi Bands throughout the United States and Canada.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is committed to language revitalization.
Potawatomi language classes are offered weekly for community members of all ages – including at the Head Start program in Pokagon Township, southwest of Dowagiac.
The Pokagon Band has a partnership with the Gun Lake Band and Huron Band of Potawatomi in southwestern Michigan and received a three-year grant for language preservation and revitalization. The project is called "200 Words to a Community."