Native Languages of the Americas Native American Language Grant ACOMA KERES WRITING CLASS PROJECT PROPOSAL My name

e is Lorissa Garcia. I am an enrolled member of the Acoma Pueblo, located in New Mexico. I propose to work with the Keres language of the Acoma people. I am seeking $5,000.00 in order to accomplish the proposed project. Considering that the language is living, I will be working with tribal members, Laura V. Garcia, Elardo Garcia, and Daisy Aragon. This will be a personal project in conjunction with the Acoma writing class that Mrs. Garcia presently teaches. It is a labor of love of one Acoma family who believes in utilizing resources available to make language learning available to all tribal members. The success of the proposed project will be determined by the number of class participants able to use conversational Acoma Keres in their homes and tribal community. Statement of Need: Many native tribes across the country are losing their native language due to the tremendous influences of current technology, economic and world political issues that bypass basic native language and cultural issues. On a smaller scale, the decline of multigenerational homes and larger number of non-indigenous-speaking people having children has also played an instrumental role in native language decline. Tribal communities must concentrate today on how to retain their languages or what is left of their language(s). Among the people of Acoma Pueblo, Keres is the native language. The number of fluent, Keres speakers has declined. Language maintenance and revitalization must be at the forefront of the communitys list of priorities. Building fluent speakers through traditional oral methods has not proven an effective method, as no longer are children speaking Keres as their first language. One method of language maintenance has been via a written form. One such method that has proven successful is the development of writing the language using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). IPA is a universal alphabet used worldwide, by hundreds of cultures and language groups to document their languages in written form. This alphabet is a system of symbols and sounds that can be used to teach a language. Because many individuals are visual learners, it is much easier to learn how to do something when you can "see" what is to be learned. Learners using IPA are able to learn to write their language, therefore learning the sounds. Once they perfect the written form, they are able to read the language. These learners can approach a fluent speaker of their language and ask how to say certain words, phrases and sentences. They will be able to write what it is they want to learn, thus expanding their vocabulary. This method is not a hurried process. However, this method is tried and true. This grant seeks to revitalize the use of Keres among the Acoma Pueblo people by teaching a written form of the language. Project Plan: I have three primary objectives for this planning grant, with a two-phase process. Phase one includes learning of the language for non-fluent Acoma tribal members taught by fluent speaking teachers. First, an instructor (who is semi-fluent) will begin instructing participants, using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Initially, the instructor will teach the participants the letters of the IPA and the sounds they make. Instruction will transition to sound blends and to Keres word formation. The instructor will work alongside a fluent speaker to ensure proper pronunciation, word use, and sentence structure. Secondly, an Acoma Keres

dictionary and conversational phrase add-on will be developed. Instructor and participants will keep record of words they learn and use most often, along with conversational phrases that are most common amongst the Acoma people (greetings, household activities, etc.). The fluent speaker will assist with the development of the dictionary. Finally, to supplement the maintenance of the language, upon completion of the Acoma Keres writing course, participants will have a CD to listen to and a video to watch. This will be Phase Two of the project, which will include the production of audio and visual aids for Acoma Keres language learners. The CD will aid in proper pronunciation of words and phrases found in the dictionary. The video will demonstrate proper dialogue interactions when speaking with one or more persons and relay proper kinship terminology. Both tools will aid in reinforcing language use and interactions. Timeline: The proposed project will work with an 18-month timeframe. Below is a rough-draft outline of that timeline. PHASE I: January May Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week. Each session will last two hours International Phonetic Alphabet introduction Lessons: Names; Clans; Introduction of Self; Basic word use June December Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week. Each session will last two hours Lessons: Conversational interactions at home & in the community PHASE II: January Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week. Each session will last two hours Lessons: Conversational interactions at home & in the community Begin compilation of dictionary February April Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week. Each session will last two hours Lessons: Conversational interactions at home & in the community Continue formulating dictionary May/June Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week. Each session will last two hours Lessons: Conversational interactions at home & in the community Compact Disc recording; editing; publishing June/July Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week.

Each session will last two hours Lessons: Conversational interactions at home & in the community Video recording and editing (class participants will serve as actors) July Acoma Keres writing classes will meet twice a week. Each session will last two hours Lessons: Conversational interactions at home & in the community CDs & Video made available for class participants, tribal leaders, and interested community members

Budget: The proposed project seeks to use $5,000.00 to complete Phases I and II. Below is a rough draft of the projected budget. CASH REQUIRED REVENUE Foundation $5,000.00 IN-KIND

Total Revenue

$5,000.00

$-

EXPENSES Class: Instructor Supplies Videos: Equipment Rental Production Editing Travel CDs: $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $200.00 $500.00 $1,500.00

Equipment Rental Production Compact Discs Dictionary: Printing & Binding Miscellaneous

$500.00 $600.00 $100.00

$500.00 $300.00

Total Expenses

$5,000.00

$1,700.00

Native Language of the Americas Native American Language Grants http://www.native-languages.org/grants.htm