Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Wednesday to express support for a piece of language preservation legislation named for the late Cherokee linguist Durbin Feeling.
"The Durbin Feeling Native Languages Act will ensure that the federal government is upholding its promises and the carrying out the policies designed to support native languages," Hoskin testified. "The nationwide survey it produces will help guide investments in native language and ensure that all native languages remain vital for generations to come. It is an important bill, and I urge each member of the Committee to commit to getting this legislation to the President’s desk this Congress."
"We are going to save the Cherokee language," Hoskin said. "We can, we must and we will. We are going to do it not just because of what Durbin Feeling did, but because of the vision that he had. I pledge to you today that we will carry out Durbin’s vision but I need your help. I hope that my grandchildren and future generations grow up in a United States where native languages are valued, revered and given the full respect they deserve. I thank you for your support of Native languages and the opportunity to speak with you today."
The bill was co-introduced by committee chair Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and vice chair Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
