SB 130-ALASKA NATIVE LANGUAGE COUNCIL    9:32:52 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the CS for SB 130, version X, was before the committee. It would establish an Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council and was introduced by Senator Donny Olson. SENATOR PASKVAN moved to adopt the CS for SB 130, labeled 27- LS0779\X, as the working document before the committee. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI objected for discussion purposes. 9:34:00 AM DAVID SCOTT, staff, Senator Donny Olson, testified on SB 130 on behalf of the sponsor. LOREN PETERSON, staff, Senator Donny Olson, introduced SB 131 on behalf of the sponsor. He said that Senator Olson's office received a resolution from the Northwest Arctic Borough supporting the formation of an Alaska Native Language Commission at the state level. The intent of the bill is to preserve, maintain and restore Alaska Native languages, which serve as the cultural foundation of all cultural elements. He spoke of the disappearance of the Eyak tribe's language with the loss of the last native speaker. SB 131 would establish an Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council, which would assess statewide language policy and programs with a mission to seek the most cost-effective programs. MR. PETERSON addressed the changes in Version X. In Section 1, the words "are the foundation of cultures" were added to the legislative findings. In Section 2, the name of the proposed council was changed to "Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council." The council was established in the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), instead of in the Governor's Office. Wording was changed to say that the council advises the governor and the legislature. It was established that the council meets at least twice a year and prepares a report to the legislature by January 1 of each even numbered year. Finally, it was established that the two non-voting legislative members of the council will come from the Bush Caucus. In Section 3, it was established that the governor must appoint members of the council by December 1, 2012, and the first report would be due by July 1, 2014. MR. SCOTT offered to answer questions. He said there is evidence that Alaska Native Languages are dying. This legislation is an attempt to mitigate that situation. 9:39:23 AM SCOTT RUBY, Director, Division of Community and Regional Affairs, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), offered to answer questions related to SB 130. SENATOR PASKVAN asked if the department supports the bill. MR. RUBY said that the department supports the bill, as written. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI requested an explanation of the fiscal note. MR. RUBY reported that there is currently a fiscal note from the Governor's Office, and one will be forthcoming from DCCED for about $240,200. He explained that the money would be used for personnel costs for staff to serve the commission and for the preparation of reports. He said it works better for staff to be assigned to commissions. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said the fiscal note from the Office of the Governor's is for $387,000 in the first year. He inquired if DCCED's fiscal note would be in addition to that one. MR. RUBY explained that the new DCCED fiscal note would replace the Office of the Governor's fiscal note. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI concluded that the fiscal note would then be for $240,000 instead of $387,000. MR. RUBY said it would be $240,000 for first year and $216,000 the following years. 9:43:45 AM JOY HUNTINGTON, Tanana Chief Conference, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified in support of SB 130. She spoke of a personal story regarding her wish to learn the Athabascan language. 9:46:09 AM ANNETTE EVANS-SMITH, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 130. She shared that she considers it her life's work to learn her Native language. She suggested taking pro-active action now to revitalize indigenous languages. She listed positive effects from knowing Native languages and stressed the benefits of this legislation. 9:50:14 AM JON ROSS, President, Tsiltan Management Group, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 130 and the creation of an Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. He stressed the importance of passing this legislation. He thanked the sponsor. 9:52:01 AM LAWRENCE KAPLAN, Director, Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC), University of Alaska, Fairbanks, spoke in support of SB 131. He described how the legislation would support his work and center. He shared information about the ANLC and how the legislation would support its goals. 9:55:21 AM SENATOR GIESSEL asked how many staff members work at ANLC. MR. KAPLAN said there were six staff members. SENATOR GIESSEL inquired about the outcomes of the program since its beginnings in 1972. MR. KAPLAN shared successes of about graduation rates and publications. 9:56:57 AM ROSITA WORL, PHD., President, Sealaska Heritage, Member, Indigenous Languages Institute Board, Juneau, Alaska, spoke in support of SB 130. She noted in her native language her Tlingit names and how they relate to her social values and identity. She outlined the status of ANL's. She quoted a report to show how the languages are endangered. She listed the various languages and their status. She recalled the history of revitalization of Native languages. She enclosed a report from Sealaska that outlines restoration programs. She discussed state and federal efforts to revitalize these languages. 10:02:14 AM DR. WORL maintained that the study of ANL's is important and the documentation of Native language does not ensure restoration of those languages. Native organizations should be the eligible recipient of funds to revitalize ANL programs. She recommended that the legislation adopt interim methods to revitalize those languages that are most in danger. The effect of the legislation would send a powerful message. She suggested reasons for supporting SB 130. She addressed self-esteem issues related to pride of language. She stressed the importance of Native language programs in schools. DR. WORL noted she would provide a study to support the need for restoration of Native languages. She continued to state the objectives to be achieved by this legislation. She gave a personal example of the advantage of having knowledge of indigenous language. She dedicated her testimony to the late Native, Bill Demmert. She recommended incorporating his name into the name of the council. 10:09:27 AM SENATOR GIESSEL agreed that multi-lingual children have advanced brain development. She recalled the Alaska Native Language Center just mentioned and asked if Ms. Worl had benefitted from that program. DR. WORL replied that she lobbied for the creation of the center and spoke highly of Dr. Krauss and his program at UAF. She said, however, that the study of language by itself does not lead to language restoration. She shared her community-based philosophy. SENATOR GIESSEL asked if there would be interfacing between the potential Native Language Council and Dr. Krauss' program. DR. WORL described the possible interaction between the two programs. She gave examples of the complexities of words. She stressed that restoration is a very different approach. SENATOR GIESSEL asked what Dr. Worl's degree was in. DR. WORL replied that she is an anthropologist with a PhD. from Harvard and a minor in social linguistics. 10:14:47 AM ALICE TAFF, representing herself, testified in support of SB 130. She shared examples of Alaska natural resources, and included Native languages among them. She suggested that restoring language would reduce the suicide rate, diabetes, and alcoholism amongst Native people. She concluded that UNESCO states the right of students to learn their native language. 10:18:55 AM PATRICK ANDERSON, Executive Director, Chugachmiut, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 130. He shared his language history. He said that he has participated in revitalizing two languages, Hawaiian and Tlingit. He recalled problems in Chugiak with language restoration and the difficulty of receiving funding for programs. He described the historical trauma of his culture. He stated that the legislation would provide linkage between the State of Alaska and Native communities. 10:26:25 AM SELENA EVERSON, elder, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of SB 130. She recalled the history of her language and thanked the legislature for considering this important bill. She thanked Alice Taft, Dr. Worl, and all officials for their work. 10:29:51 AM SENATOR KOOKESH stressed the historical importance of this legislation. He said this is the first time a program has been developed for the Alaska Native Community. He thought it would be a difficult road to get the legislation passed. He related that the program depends on many organizations working together, such as schools, tribes, and foundations that have bought into the idea of restoration. The State of Alaska has not committed to this program, unlike Hawaii which recognizes Hawaiian as its national language. This legislation is ground breaking because it would be the first step toward preserving Alaska Native languages. 10:33:12 AM SENATOR PASKVAN shared his experience with the Athabascan culture while growing up in Interior Alaska. He related language preservation roles by family members. He said he believes that Native languages should not be relegated to history or legend. The bill is an extremely important process to preserve, honor, and encourage indigenous languages in Alaska. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI agreed that when the language dies, the culture dies. SB 130 was held in committee.