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Article: RESCUING A LANGUAGE; NATION STRIVING TO KEEP PEOPLE SPEAKING ONONDAGA.(Local)
- Article from:
- The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
- Article date:
- December 14, 2003
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Byline: Mike McAndrew Staff writer
So few Onondaga Nation members speak the Onondaga language fluently that their leaders won't disclose the number.
But Onondaga leaders admit they are desperately trying to save the language from extinction.
Percy Abrams, an Onondaga who is a graduate student in linguistics, began teaching language classes at the Indian territory four years ago. About 20 adults attend the free classes sponsored each week by the nation's government.
"The language can be saved," said Sid Hill, 52, the tadadaho, or spiritual leader at Onondaga, who began learning the language a few years ago. "We're still here, and we ...