the elders of many tribes are still fluent in the ancestral
language, but until very recently, they were not certifiable as
teachers. allen taylor made this point in 1989 in his article (on
the gros ventre) in nancy dorian's edited volume on language
obsolescence. this has apparently changed recently with the
passage of new legislation, but in the past, some of those who
could teach didn't know the ancestral language well, while many
of those who knew the language were not allowed to teach.
the language nest programs in new zealand and in hawaii have been
successful because they offer children early and sustained
exposure to an indigenous language. it may be difficult to create
language-nest style programs in many places, but i think there is
an alternative that might work nearly as well: placing preschool
children of working mothers into day care with the elders. if the
elders simply speak their native language naturally, the children
will become true bilinguals. moreover, young working mothers
would get much needed, competent day care and elders would get
much needed employment -- employment that only they can perform.
perhaps this kind of program already exists. if it does, i'd
appreciate hearing about it.
russ bernard