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OCTOBER 13, 2000

The chairwoman of an organization calling for the removal of bilingual education in Arizona says Indian children are being held prisoners by their own culture.

The group English for the Children is urging the passage of Proposition 203, which would replace bilingual education with a one-year English immersion program. Although Maria Mendoza, the chairwoman of the organization, said it was not intended for Native Americans, she said tribes would benefit from the passage of the proposition and that public schools should not be used to preserve native languages.

"I think the tribal leaders should be focusing on getting their children to learn English," Maria Mendoza told The Arizona Republic. "Why do they want to keep them as prisoners in their culture and their heritage? Don't they realize their kids have dreams, too, and the only way you can get ahead in this country is to learn English?"

Mendoza says tribes should be able to override the proposition because of their sovereignty. But tribal leaders and other Native Americans are organizing action against the proposal regardless of the legal authority tribes may or may not have over the measure.

Four tribes have signed resolutions against the proposition. A march is planned today in downtown Phoenix against the proposal.

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Indians protest push for English (The Arizona Republic 10/13)
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