Opinion

Letter: Don't teach Cheyenne language, culture in school





"During the meeting, one topic that consumed a considerable amount of time was the teaching of Cheyenne language and culture. I'll be the first to admit that I failed miserably to teach my children when they were young. In one of the Indian newspapers, a Dr. Dean Chavers writes that he is "not enamored with teaching Indian culture in the classroom. It is up to the parents and the Indian community to teach their children their language and culture. It is all we can do in the school to teach these kids academics. That is our job, not being culture bearers." I am in total agreement with Dr. Chavers. A 76-year-old elder spoke during the meeting, and one statement he made stood out when he spoke of the language and stated that he learned it "at home."

What have the Cheyenne people come to be, expecting our school to teach what should be taught at home? Some of my colleagues speak the Cheyenne language better than I do, and I would wager that none of them learned it at school!"

Get the Story:
George Scalpcane: Cheyenne language, culture should be learned at home (The Billings Gazette 5/24)

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