Today, the Alaska legislature gave official recognition to 20 Alaska Native Languages. Gunalcheesh to the many family and friends who worked to make this happen. My poetry collection The Hide of My Tongue is about that struggle. Here is my poem called Backward Progression: Backward Progression Why all of a sudden, now, are they going backwards? Some of their languages weren’t even written. — Susan Fischetti, official spokesperson, Alaskans for a Common Language, 1999 Because I want to speak my Native language, you perceive me “going backwards.” Backward to where? Toward savageness and barbarianism? Well, I’m defying your linear march up cement steps to your domed roofs, the back-and-forth you call time and progress, the back-and-forth you call politics. I defy your ballots and appeals, defining the way I hold my teacup and saucer, your belief in the melting pot, the notion a common language gives us strength. So I’m offering you a warning—listen quietly. Listen, while your mind is asleep in your hilltop tents, as candlelight dims, as your words saturate the spaces between your gray matter; when you can’t tell the direction of our voices, how they murmur from the bushes, with a wet hiss and jagged click, sounds garbled—know it’s only our grandparents awakening. Listen to our whispers’ first meeting, our hot breath folding into breath. Listen for our tones rising, the footsteps of scratchy throats—These will be our war cries encircling your encampment. Vivian Mork, Du Aaní Kawdinook Xhunei, Nikka Mork, Breanne Pearson
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 23:46:52 +0000
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