Reconnecting The Circle's Trivia Game

Test your knowledge on historical and contemporary facts about Native Americans.

Go to Trivia Game.

ESSAY CONTEST (grades 9-12)

Deadline: January 23, 2009

10 Winning Students
$2500 each in cash prizes

TOPIC: "Why is it important to understand patriotism in Indian Country?"

DEADLINE: Essays must be postmarked no later than Monday, January 19, 2009 and received by Friday, January 23,2009

WHO: High School Students (Grades 9-12)

WHERE: High Schools Across the United States

GUIDELINES: 750-1200 Words, typewritten, double-spaced, with numbered pages
**See official rules on the website for all entry details and essay specifications**

ESSAY CRITERIA: Originality & Creativity, eloquence of writing style, structure
(How well thought out the essay is), grammar and relevance to the topic

HOW TO ENTER
1. Go to the website www.reconnectingthecircle.com
2. Read the Official Rules & Regulations.
3. Print out the Official Entry & Permission Form, legibly
print information in blue or black pen, and have a parent
or legal guardian sign it (if you are under the age of 18).
4. Read the full essay question.*
5. Include the completed Entry & Permission Form with 2
copies of your essay and send by mail to: Reconnecting
The Circle, National High School Essay Contest,
PO Box 8842, Reston, VA 20195.

NOTE: All Essay Contest details listed here.

Language is the Culture

I learned something very valuable in my Native American circles -- without language, there is no culture.

Native American people are striving to sustain their languages, because they know once the language goes, so does the culture. Nuances in a language, expression, innuendo, perspective, double meaning (double entendre), 40 ways to say 'I love you', and the actual sound of a word and how that word is uttered -- all these elements of language contribute to its culture.

Watch Your Mouth

There are many words in our English language that have become part of our every day colloquialisms. Some of those words are actually derogatory remarks or references about Native Americans, which found their way into our vocabulary centuries ago. While some of those words seem harmless, they misrepresent or negate Native American people and cultures.

Reconnecting The Circle highlights some choice words on its website in the 'Watch Your Mouth' section. 

Consider how your own language has evolved over the years and how some words contribute to changing our culture, positively or negatively. Consider expressions like "phat", "ho", "hiphop", "WMD" (weapons of mass destruction), "real change", "just do it", etc. Consider every time there's a new catchphrase in the news about politics or a geographic location or media event and then think about how it affects you and your perspective on the world. Language is powerful. Language is the culture.

Challenge: What are your ideas for sustaining Native American languages? Send them to me.