PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 24, 2020) – The month of November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States. It is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of the Native People, their traditions and histories, and acknowledge their important contributions. National Native American Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the public about different tribes, raise general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
In the Foreign Language Program at Prairie View A&M University, we are honoring indigenous language and culture all month long in our classes (reaching the Spanish speaking, Arabic speaking, and Chinese speaking worlds). We are focusing on indigenous peoples culturally and linguistically as we continue to grow in foreign language fluency.
Here is what we are doing in each set of courses:
In Spanish, check out the site 68voces.mx. This innovative project is aimed at preserving and animating myths and stories from 68 different indigenous peoples. Each story is told in the native language with subtitles in various languages. We are excited to offer this to our students each week in all our Spanish classes and expand their knowledge of indigenous cultures and heritages of Latin America.
In our Chinese classes, we are exploring Inner Mongolia, the Mongolian ethnic group, and their distinct culture. While being part of the People’s Republic of China, there is a sizable minority of ethnic Mongolian peoples. The area was invaded by Communist forces in 1947 and was set up to be an “autonomous region,” ruled and greatly influenced by the ethnic minorities that first inhabited and live in the area. Students are exploring the music, literature, and foods of the Mongolian peoples of this land—but most importantly, the language and the current struggles of ethnic Mongolian Chinese people who are protesting the government.
In our Arabic classes, we are delving into the world of the Amazigh. The Amazigh people (given the name Berbers by people outside their communities) have lived in North Africa for millennia and have been fighting for their rights since the Arab Spring. In Morocco, efforts have been made to include the Tamazight language as an official language as well as include it in the school system to prevent language death and further linguistic colonialism.
Sumor Z. Sheppard, Ph.D.
In the Foreign Language Program, we hope our students grow from these necessary discussions of recognition and inclusion around the world. We also hope that the university community would explore and share these resources. Please join us in expanding our cultural competence, global awareness, and deepening our international connections! Have a safe and wonderful break!
Sumor Z. Sheppard, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Spanish and the Foreign Languages Program coordinator in the Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences at Prairie View A&M University.