Our catch phrase is on its way.

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

Following is the first half of a preliminary set of instructions I have for “Lady 9-14”. It IS preliminary and subject to her feedback. The second half will be sent out in tomorrow’s installment -- Installment 115)

Hi Lady 9-14!

As I mentioned to you over the telephone, I will be arriving in the Seneca Nation on November 17th. In the interest of saving time when I arrive in the Seneca Nation, I will be sending various proposals and forms to you in advance of that time. I ask you to go over them and give me your opinions and/or suggestions regarding them. I will, of course, answer any questions you might have.

Here is the first of the forms. It is NOT YET complete. In order for that to happen, I need your help – and possibly that of some of the Elders….

“ Proposal for Saving the Seneca Language

0 – 5 years of age Seneca children need to play with grandparents or surrogate grandparents for many hours each day, using the Seneca language only. If younger people (in their 20s,30s,40s) who speak Seneca to some extent wish to help, that will be fine. But before they start, they will need to be assessed regarding how well they can pronounce Seneca and how naturally they speak it. If possible the children should hear no English or English-accented Seneca at all. Nor should they be exposed to TV or radio English language broadcasts. They should spend their time (both outdoors and indoors) exploring -- and learning the names of plants and animals and foods and colors and numbers and simple songs. The children should should receive all their food and beverages in a natural state, with no glitzy wrappers or advertisements. They should eat traditional Seneca food varying with the seasons. Traditional ways of holding or carrying infants should be followed. No baby carriages should be used. Seneca lullabies should be used to help infants fall asleep. If the parents do not speak Seneca so well, it will be important for the parents to have 20-minute Seneca Jingles sessions on a daily basis and to practice “just talking” two or three times a week with the native speaking Elders, each time lasting about 30 minutes. Toddlers should begin imitating Seneca dances and sports movements – and, with smiling Elders, should try to memorize traditional chants and short stories. 5 years of age until the onset of adolescence (first part – the second part can be found in Installment 115.) For the first two years reading and writing should be taught using Seneca only (Some may question why the children should be deprived of English. Here is why: From the age of 8 they will be introduced to English – and because they will not yet be adolescents, they will pick up English pronunciation without any Seneca accent. But (Joy to all!) their Seneca will be their primary allophonome at this point, so their spoken Seneca will not be affected by the development of their secondary (English) allophonome. “ This continues tomorrow with more suggestions for training children, adolescents, young adults, middle aged people, and the Seneca Elders on how to save their language.

Steve Walker, Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

EarthSaver

Steve Walker

Our catch phrase is on its way.